Tool for generating a virtual store that emulates a physical store

ABSTRACT

An apparatus to create a virtual layout of a virtual store to emulate a physical layout of a physical store includes a memory and a processor. The processor receives a physical position and orientation associated with a physical rack located in the physical store. In response, the processor places a virtual rack at a virtual position and orientation on the virtual layout, to represent the physical position and orientation of the physical rack on the physical layout. The processor receives virtual items associated with physical items located on physical shelves of the physical rack. In response, the processor places the virtual items on virtual shelves of the virtual rack, the virtual shelves representing the physical shelves of the physical rack. The processor assigns a rack camera, which captures video that includes the physical rack, to the virtual rack and stores the virtual layout in the memory.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to remote monitoring techniques, andmore particularly, to a tool for generating a virtual store thatemulates a physical store.

BACKGROUND

During a traditional shopping session in a physical store, a customerselects items from shelves located within the store and then presentsthose items to a cashier. The cashier generates a bill for the items andreceives payment from the customer. Any cameras located within the storeare typically present for security purposes.

SUMMARY

Shopping sessions in traditional stores may be associated with severalinefficiencies for both the customers and the store owners. For example,during busy periods within a store, a customer may spend a considerableamount of time waiting in line to pay the cashier for the items he/sheselected. The time spent waiting may even exceed the total amount oftime that the customer spent selecting the items. This may lead tocustomer frustration and potentially to a loss of repeat customerbusiness. As another example, traditional stores typically rely on thepresence of one or more employees to act as cashiers within the stores.Even when the store is otherwise empty, such employees are neverthelesspresent, in case a customer happens to enter the store to make apurchase. As a result, outside of peak business hours, much of acashier's time within a store may be spent idle.

This disclosure contemplates a virtual store tool that addresses one ormore of the above technical problems. The tool generates a virtual storeconfigured to emulate a physical store. The tool also generates a set ofvideos from camera feeds received from cameras located in the physicalstore, to track a customer during a shopping session in the physicalstore. In certain embodiments, the tool then uses the virtual store andthe videos of the shopping session in the physical store to generate avirtual shopping cart, storing a set of items configured to emulate theitems selected by the customer in the physical store. Accordingly, thetool may use the virtual shopping cart to charge the customer forhis/her purchases. In some embodiments, the tool may also be used inconjunction with an algorithm trained to determine the items selected bya customer during a shopping session in a physical store, based oninputs received from sensors located in the physical store. In suchembodiments, the tool uses the virtual store and the videos of theshopping session in the physical store to verify the determination madeby the algorithm. Certain embodiments of the tool are described below.

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes an interface, adisplay, a memory, and a hardware processor communicatively coupled tothe memory and the display. The interface receives a first video feed.The first video feed includes a first camera feed corresponding to afirst camera located in a physical store and a second camera feedcorresponding to a second camera located in the physical store. Thefirst camera is directed at a first location in the physical store. Thesecond camera is directed at a second location in the physical store.The hardware processor stores a first video segment in the memory. Thefirst video segment is assigned to a first person and captures a portionof a shopping session of the first person in the physical storeoccurring during a time interval between a starting timestamp and anending timestamp. The first video segment includes a first camera feedsegment corresponding to a recording of the first camera feed from thestarting timestamp to the ending timestamp, and a second camera feedsegment corresponding to a recording of the second camera feed from thestarting timestamp to the ending timestamp. The processor also assigns afirst slider bar to the first video segment.

Playback of the first camera feed segment and the second camera feedsegment is synchronized and the first slider bar controls a playbackprogress of the first camera feed segment and the second camera feedsegment. The processor additionally displays the first camera feedsegment and a first copy of the first slider bar in a first region ofthe display. The processor further displays the second camera feedsegment and a second copy of the first slider bar in a second region ofthe display. The processor also receives an instruction from at leastone of the first copy of the first slider bar and the second copy of thefirst slider bar to adjust the playback progress of the first camerafeed segment and the second camera feed segment. In response toreceiving the instruction, the processor adjusts the playback progressof the first camera feed segment and the second camera feed segment.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus includes a display, aninterface, and a hardware processor communicatively coupled to thedisplay. The interface receives a rack camera feed from a rack cameralocated in a physical store. The rack camera is directed at a firstphysical rack of a set of physical racks located in the physical store.The hardware processor displays, in a first region of the display, avirtual layout of a virtual store. The virtual layout is configured toemulate a physical layout of the physical store. The virtual layoutincludes a first virtual rack assigned to a first physical rack and asecond virtual rack assigned to a second physical rack. Here, anarrangement of the first virtual rack and the second virtual rack in thevirtual layout is configured to emulate an arrangement of the firstphysical rack and the second physical rack in the physical layout.

The processor also receives an indication of an event associated withthe first physical rack. The event includes a person located in thephysical store interacting with the first physical rack. In response toreceiving the indication of the event associated with the first physicalrack, the processor displays, in a second region of the display, thefirst virtual rack. The first virtual rack includes a first virtualshelf and a second virtual shelf. The first virtual shelf includes afirst virtual item and the second virtual shelf includes a secondvirtual item. The first virtual item includes a graphical representationof a first physical item located on a first physical shelf of the firstphysical rack and the second virtual item includes a graphicalrepresentation of a second physical item located on a second physicalshelf of the first physical rack. The processor additionally displays,in a third region of the display, a rack video segment corresponding toa recording of the rack camera feed from a starting timestamp to anending timestamp. The rack video segment depicts the event associatedwith the first physical rack.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus includes a display, aninterface, and a hardware processor communicatively coupled to thedisplay. The interface receives a rack video from a rack camera locatedin a physical store. The rack camera is directed at a first physicalrack of a set of physical racks located in the physical store. The rackcamera captures video of the first physical rack during a shoppingsession of a person in the physical store. The processor displays, in afirst region of the display, a first virtual rack that emulates thefirst physical rack. The first virtual rack includes a first virtualshelf and a second virtual shelf. The first virtual shelf includes afirst virtual item and the second virtual shelf includes a secondvirtual item. The first virtual item includes a graphical representationof a first physical item located on a first physical shelf of the firstphysical rack and the second virtual item includes a graphicalrepresentation of a second physical item located on a second physicalshelf of the first physical rack.

The processor also displays, in a second region of the display, the rackvideo. The rack video depicts an event including the person interactingwith the first physical rack. The processor additionally displays, in athird region of the display, a virtual shopping cart. The processorfurther receives information associated with the event. The informationidentifies the first virtual item, and the rack video depicts that theperson selected the first physical item while interacting with the firstphysical rack. In response to receiving the information associated withthe event, the processor stores the first virtual item in the virtualshopping cart.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus configured to create avirtual layout of a virtual store to emulate a physical layout of aphysical store includes a memory and a hardware processorcommunicatively coupled to the memory. The hardware processor receives afirst physical position and a first physical orientation associated witha first physical rack located in the physical store. In response toreceiving the first physical position and the first physicalorientation, the processor places a first virtual rack at a firstvirtual position and with a first virtual orientation on the virtuallayout. The first virtual position of the first virtual rack on thevirtual layout represents the first physical position of the firstphysical rack on the physical layout and the first virtual orientationof the first virtual rack on the virtual layout represents the firstphysical orientation of the first physical rack on the physical layout.The processor also receives a first virtual item associated with a firstphysical item located on a first physical shelf of the first physicalrack. In response to receiving the first virtual item, the processorplaces the first virtual item on a first virtual shelf of the firstvirtual rack. The first virtual shelf of the first virtual rackrepresents the first physical shelf of the first physical rack.

The processor additionally receives a second virtual item associatedwith a second physical item located on a second physical shelf of thefirst physical rack. In response to receiving the second virtual item,the processor places the second virtual item on a second virtual shelfof the first virtual rack. The second virtual shelf of the first virtualrack represents the second physical shelf of the first physical rack.The processor further assigns a first rack camera located in thephysical store to the first virtual rack. The first rack camera capturesvideo that includes the first physical rack. The processor also storesthe virtual layout in the memory.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus includes a hardwareprocessor. The processor receives an algorithmic shopping cart thatincludes a first set of items. The first set of items is determined byan algorithm to have been selected by a first person during a shoppingsession in a physical store, based on a set of inputs received fromsensors located within the physical store. The processor also receives avirtual shopping cart that includes a second set of items associatedwith the shopping session. Video of the shopping session was captured bya set of cameras located in the physical store. The video depicts theperson selecting the second set of items. The processor additionallycompares the algorithmic shopping cart to the virtual shopping cart. Inresponse to comparing the algorithmic shopping cart to the virtualshopping cart, the processor determines that a discrepancy existsbetween the algorithmic shopping cart and the virtual shopping cart. Theprocessor further determines a subset of the set of inputs associatedwith the discrepancy. The processor also attaches metadata to thesubset. The metadata explains the discrepancy. The processoradditionally uses the subset to train the algorithm.

Certain embodiments provide one or more technical advantages. Forexample, an embodiment reduces the processing resources spent whenreviewing surveillance video of a customer in a store, by presentingmultiple camera views of the store at once, synchronized with oneanother, and configured to capture the shopping session of the customer.As another example, an embodiment increases the efficiency of a shoppingsession through the use of automation and remote monitoring techniques.As a further example, an embodiment provides an independent verificationof a machine learning tracking algorithm, configured to track a customerin a physical store. The system described in the present disclosure mayparticularly be integrated into a practical application of a remotemonitoring system for a physical location, such as a store, where inputsfrom sensors located in the store may be used to monitor and trackevents occurring within the store.

Certain embodiments may include none, some, or all of the abovetechnical advantages. One or more other technical advantages may bereadily apparent to one skilled in the art form the figures,descriptions, and claims included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B present a comparison between a physical store and avirtual store;

FIGS. 2A and 2B present a comparison between a physical layout of aphysical store and a virtual layout of a virtual store;

FIGS. 3A and 3B present a comparison between a physical rack in aphysical store and a virtual rack in a virtual store;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example system according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5A illustrates example locations in a physical store of camerasconfigured to capture regions of the store for use in the systemillustrated in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of the regions of a physical storecaptured by the layout cameras of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 illustrates the video processor component of the virtual storetool of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 ;

FIGS. 7A through 7C present an example illustrating the manner in whichthe virtual store tool of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 displayscamera feed segments associated with the layout cameras and the rackcameras of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 8 presents a flowchart illustrating the process by which thevirtual store tool of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 generates anddisplays camera feed segments associated with the layout cameras and therack cameras of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 ;

FIGS. 9A through 9D present examples illustrating the manner in whichthe virtual store tool of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 may virtuallyemulate a shopping session occurring in a physical store;

FIG. 10 presents a flowchart illustrating the manner in which thevirtual store tool of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 may virtuallyemulate a shopping session occurring in a physical store;

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an example embodiment of a graphical userinterface generated by the virtual store tool of the system illustratedin FIG. 4 , which may be used to generate a virtual layout configured toemulate a physical layout of a physical store;

FIG. 12 presents a flowchart illustrating the manner in which thevirtual store tool of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 may generate avirtual layout configured to emulate a physical layout of a physicalstore;

FIGS. 13A and 13B present examples of sensors that may be used toprovide input to an algorithm configured to determine items selected bya customer during a shopping session in a physical store;

FIGS. 13C and 13D illustrate an example of the use of sensors coupled toa physical shelf in a physical store to define zones of the physicalshelf and its corresponding virtual shelf;

FIG. 14 illustrates a resolution component of the virtual store tool ofthe system illustrated in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 15 illustrates a machine learning component of the virtual storetool of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 ; and

FIG. 16 presents a flowchart illustrating the manner by which thevirtual store tool of the system illustrated in FIG. 4 may providefeedback to an algorithm configured to determine the items selected by acustomer during a shopping session in a physical store.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure and its advantages may beunderstood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 16 of the drawings, likenumerals being used for like and Additional information is disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/663,633 entitled, “Scalable PositionTracking System For Tracking Position In Large Spaces” and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/663,710 entitled, “Topview Object Tracking Usinga Sensor Array” which are both hereby incorporated by reference hereinas if reproduced in their entirety.

I. Introduction to Virtual Emulation

This disclosure is generally directed to generating a virtual store thatis configured to emulate a physical store, and using the virtual store,along with videos of a shopping session occurring within the physicalstore, to virtually emulate the physical shopping session. Although thisdisclosure describes virtual emulation of a physical store, thisdisclosure contemplates that any type of physical space (e.g., awarehouse, a storage center, an amusement park, an airport, an officebuilding, etc.) may be virtually emulated using the tool described inthe present disclosure. For example, the physical store may be aconvenience store or a grocery store. This disclosure also contemplatesthat the physical store may not be a physical building, but a physicalspace or environment in which shoppers may shop. For example, thephysical store may be a grab and go pantry at an airport, a kiosk in anoffice building, or an outdoor market at a park, etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a physical store 100 is a brick and mortarstore—i.e., a store that is located in a physical building. Customers105 (who may carry mobile devices 125) enter physical store 100 topurchase items. On the other hand, a virtual store 110 is a computerizedrepresentation of a physical store, displayed on a computer or otherdevice 115 belonging to a user 120, as illustrated in FIG. 1B. Thisdisclosure contemplates that user 120 may use virtual store 110 toemulate a shopping session of customer 105 in physical store 100.Virtual store 110 may be generated locally on device 115 or generatedremotely and transmitted over a network to device 115.

Virtual store 110 may be configured to emulate physical store 100 inseveral different ways. For example, in certain embodiments, and asillustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the virtual layout 205 of virtual store110 is configured to emulate the physical layout 200 of physical store100. In particular, the shape, location, and orientation of virtualdisplay racks 230 a, 230 b, 230 c, and 230 d are configured to emulatethe shape, location, and orientation of physical display racks 210 a,210 b, 210 c, and 210 d. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG.2A, physical display racks 210 a and 210 b are located along back wall235 a of physical layout 200 of physical store 100. Accordingly, virtualdisplay racks 230 a and 230 b are placed along back wall 240 a ofvirtual layout 205 of virtual store 110, to emulate the location andorientation of physical display racks 210 a and 210 b. Similarly,virtual display rack 230 d is placed along side wall 240 b of virtuallayout 205, to emulate the position and orientation of physical displayrack 210 d along side wall 235 b, and virtual display rack 230 c isplaced in the center of virtual layout 205, to emulate the position andorientation of physical display rack 210 c.

As another example, in some embodiments, the contents of virtual displayracks 230 a, 230 b, 230 c, and 230 d are configured to emulate thecontents of physical display racks 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and 210 d. Forexample, in certain embodiments, virtual display racks 230 a, 230 b, 230c, and 230 d are each assigned a list of items, wherein the list ofitems includes those items stored on physical rack 210 a, 210 b, 210 c,and 210 d, respectively. In other embodiments, each virtual display rackis assigned a set of virtual shelves, where the number and placement ofthe virtual shelves on the virtual display rack are configured toemulate the number and placement of the physical shelves on thecorresponding physical display rack. Each virtual shelf of the set ofvirtual shelves then holds a set of virtual items that is configured toemulate the set of physical items stored on a corresponding physicalshelf. Here the virtual items may be configured to emulate the physicalitems in terms of appearance and/or positioning on the virtual shelf.

As a specific example, FIGS. 3A and 3B present a comparison betweenphysical display rack 210 a and virtual display rack 230 a in oneembodiment. As seen in FIG. 3A, physical display rack 210 a includes twophysical shelves—first physical shelf 305 a and second physical shelf305 b. Accordingly, to emulate physical display rack 210 a, virtualdisplay rack 230 a also includes two shelves—first virtual shelf 310 aand second virtual shelf 310 b. Additionally, each of virtual shelves310 a and 310 b includes a set of virtual items configured to emulatethe physical items stored on the corresponding physical shelf ofphysical shelves 305 a and 305 b. For example, virtual shelf 310 aincludes first virtual item 320 a, located in first virtual zone 330 aof virtual shelf 310 a, second virtual item 320 b, located in secondvirtual zone 330 b of virtual shelf 310 a, and third virtual item 320 c,located in third virtual zone 330 c of virtual shelf 310 a, positionedto emulate the positioning of first physical item 315 a in firstphysical zone 325 a of physical shelf 305 a, second physical item 315 bin second physical zone 325 b of physical shelf 305 a, and thirdphysical item 315 c in third physical zone 325 c of physical shelf 305a. Similarly, virtual shelf 310 b includes fourth virtual item 320 d,fifth virtual item 320 e, and sixth virtual item 320 f, positioned,respectively, in fourth virtual zone 330 d, fifth virtual zone 330 e,and sixth virtual zone 330 f of virtual shelf 310 b, to emulate thepositioning of fourth physical item 315 d, fifth physical item 315 e,and sixth physical item 315 f in fourth physical zone 325 d, fifthphysical zone 325 e, and sixth physical zone 325 f of physical shelf 305b. Additionally, each of virtual items 320 a through 320 f is configuredto emulate the appearance of the corresponding physical item 315 a, 315b, 315 c, 315 d, 315 e, or 315 f. For example, each virtual item maycorrespond to a two-dimensional, graphical representation of thecorresponding physical item. In this manner, a virtual item may easilybe identified based on the appearance of its real world, physicalcounterpart.

II. System Overview

FIG. 4 illustrates an example system 400 that includes virtual storetool 405, device 115, display 410, network 430 a, network 430 b, layoutcameras 490, and rack cameras 495. In certain embodiments, system 400additionally includes external system 485 and sensors 498. Generally,virtual store tool 405 is configured to generate a virtual store 110that emulates a physical store 100. In certain embodiments, virtualstore tool 405 uses virtual store 110 to generate a receipt for ashopping session conducted by a person 105 in physical store 100, basedin part on videos tracking the shopping session, received from layoutcameras 490 and/or rack cameras 495 located in the physical store 100.In some embodiments, virtual store tool 405 uses virtual store 110 andvideos received from layout cameras 490 and rack cameras 495 to validatea determination made by an algorithm 488 of the items selected by person105 during the shopping session in physical store 100.

Device 115 includes any appropriate device for communicating withcomponents of system 400 over network 430 a. For example, device 115 maybe a telephone, a mobile phone, a computer, a laptop, a wireless orcellular telephone, a tablet, a server, an IoT device, and/or anautomated assistant, among others. This disclosure contemplates device115 being any appropriate device for sending and receivingcommunications over network 430 a. Device 115 may also include a userinterface, such as a microphone, keypad, or other appropriate terminalequipment usable by user 120. In some embodiments, an applicationexecuted by a processor of device 115 may perform the functionsdescribed herein.

Device 115 may include or be coupled to display 410. Display 410 is ascreen used by device 115 to display information received from virtualstore tool 405. In certain embodiments, display 410 is a standarddisplay used in a laptop computer. In certain other embodiments, display410 is an external display device connected to a laptop or desktopcomputer. In further embodiments, display 410 is a standard touch-screenliquid crystal display found in a typical smartphone or tablet.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , in certain embodiments, display 410 maypresent camera feed segments 415 a through 415 f, virtual layout 205,virtual rack 230, virtual shopping cart 420, and/or rack camera feedsegment 425. Camera feed segments 415 a through 415 f are videorecordings of camera feeds received by virtual store tool 405 fromlayout cameras 490 located in physical store 100, and are assigned to aperson 105 conducting a shopping session in physical store 100. Themethod by which virtual store tool 405 generates camera feed segments415 a through 415 f and displays camera feed segments 415 a through 415f on display 410 is described in further detail below, in the discussionof FIGS. 5 through 8 .

Virtual layout 205 is assigned to the particular physical store 100 fromwhich virtual store tool 405 received the camera feeds associated withcamera feed segments 415 a through 415 f, and is configured to emulatethe physical layout 200 of that physical store. The method by whichvirtual store tool 405 generates virtual layout 205 is described infurther detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 11 and 12 .

Virtual rack 230 corresponds to one of the virtual racks included invirtual layout 205 and is configured to emulate a physical rack 210 ofphysical store 100. Accordingly, virtual rack 230 displays a set ofvirtual items 320, with each virtual item 320 representing a physicalitem 315 stored on the corresponding physical rack 210. Virtual shoppingcart 420 is used to hold virtual items 320, each of which represents aphysical item 315 selected by person 105 during the shopping session inphysical store 100. Rack camera feed segment 425 is a recording of acamera feed received by virtual store tool 405 from a rack camera 495.Rack camera 495 is directed at the physical rack 210 of physical store100 to which virtual rack 230 is assigned. Virtual shopping cart 420 maybe populated by virtual items 320 stored on virtual rack 230, based inpart on rack camera feed segment 425. The method by which virtual storetool 405 determines a virtual rack 230 to display on display 410 andthen uses virtual rack 230 to populate virtual shopping cart 420 isdescribed in further detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 9 and 10 .

In some embodiments, and as described in further detail below, withrespect to FIGS. 11A and 11B, display 410 displays a graphical userinterface through which a user 120 may generate a virtual layout 205configured to emulate a physical layout 200 of a physical store 100.

Network 430 a facilitates communication between and amongst the variouscomponents of system 400 located outside of network 430 b, connectinglayout cameras 490, rack cameras 495, and external system 485 to virtualstore tool 405. This disclosure contemplates network 430 a being anysuitable network that facilitates communication between such componentsof system 400. Network 430 a may include any interconnecting systemcapable of transmitting audio, video, signals, data, messages, or anycombination of the preceding. Network 430 a may include all or a portionof a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a public or private datanetwork, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN),a wide area network (WAN), a local, regional, or global communication orcomputer network, such as the Internet, a wireline or wireless network,an enterprise intranet, or any other suitable communication link,including combinations thereof, operable to facilitate communicationbetween the components.

Network 430 b facilitates communication between and amongst the variouscomponents of virtual store tool 405 and layout cameras 490, rackcameras 495, and external system 485. This disclosure contemplatesnetwork 430 b being any suitable network that facilitates communicationbetween the components of virtual store tool 405 and layout cameras 490,rack cameras 495, and external system 485. Network 430 b may include anyinterconnecting system capable of transmitting audio, video, signals,data, messages, or any combination of the preceding. Network 430 b mayinclude all or a portion of a public switched telephone network (PSTN),a public or private data network, a local area network (LAN), ametropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a local,regional, or global communication or computer network, such as theInternet, a wireline or wireless network, an enterprise intranet, or anyother suitable communication link, including combinations thereof,operable to facilitate communication between the components. Thisdisclosure contemplates that network 430 b may be the same network asnetwork 430 a or a separate network from network 430 a.

As seen in FIG. 4 , virtual store tool 405 includes a processor 435, amemory 440, and an interface 445. This disclosure contemplates processor435, memory 440, and interface 445 being configured to perform any ofthe functions of virtual store tool 405 described herein. Generally,virtual store tool 405 implements layout creator 460, video processor465, display controller 470, resolution component 475, and machinelearning module 480. Virtual store tool 405 may use layout creator 460to generate a virtual layout 205 configured to emulate a physical layout200 of a physical store 100. This function of virtual store tool 405 isdescribed in further detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 11 and 12. Virtual store tool 405 may use video processor 465 to generate camerafeed segments 415 and rack camera feed segments 425, assigned to aperson 105 conducting a shopping session in physical store 100, based oncamera feeds received from layout cameras 490 and rack cameras 495,respectively. This function of virtual store tool 405 is described infurther detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 5 through 8 . Virtualstore tool 405 may use display controller 470 to adjust the informationdisplayed on display 410, based on input received from device 115. Thisfunction of virtual store tool 405 is described in further detail below,in the discussion of FIGS. 7 through 12 . Virtual store tool 405 may useresolution component 475 to compare the contents of virtual cart 420 toan algorithmic shopping cart, determined by an algorithm 488 to containitems selected by customer 105 during a shopping session in physicalstore 100. Resolution component 475 may identify any discrepanciesbetween virtual cart 420 and the algorithmic cart, resolve suchdiscrepancies, and generate a receipt to send to customer 105.Resolution component 475 will be described in further detail below, inthe discussion of FIG. 14 . Finally, virtual store tool 405 may usemachine learning module 480 to identify discrepancies between virtualshopping cart 420 and the algorithmic cart and assign metadata to thealgorithmic inputs associated with the discrepancies. This metadata maythen be used to retrain the algorithm. Machine learning module 480 willbe described in further detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 15 and16 .

Processor 435 is any electronic circuitry, including, but not limited tomicroprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC),application specific instruction set processor (ASIP), and/or statemachines, that communicatively couples to memory 440 and controls theoperation of virtual store tool 405. Processor 435 may be 8-bit, 16-bit,32-bit, 64-bit or of any other suitable architecture. Processor 435 mayinclude an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) for performing arithmetic andlogic operations, processor registers that supply operands to the ALUand store the results of ALU operations, and a control unit that fetchesinstructions from memory and executes them by directing the coordinatedoperations of the ALU, registers and other components. Processor 435 mayinclude other hardware and software that operates to control and processinformation. Processor 435 executes software stored on memory to performany of the functions described herein. Processor 435 controls theoperation and administration of virtual store tool 405 by processinginformation received from network 430 a, network 430 b, memory 440,device(s) 115, layout cameras 490, rack cameras 495, and external system485. Processor 435 may be a programmable logic device, amicrocontroller, a microprocessor, any suitable processing device, orany suitable combination of the preceding. Processor 435 is not limitedto a single processing device and may encompass multiple processingdevices.

Memory 440 may store, either permanently or temporarily, data,operational software, or other information for processor 435. Memory 440may include any one or a combination of volatile or non-volatile localor remote devices suitable for storing information. For example, memory440 may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, or any other suitableinformation storage device or a combination of these devices. Thesoftware represents any suitable set of instructions, logic, or codeembodied in a computer-readable storage medium. For example, thesoftware may be embodied in memory 440, a disk, a CD, or a flash drive.In particular embodiments, the software may include an applicationexecutable by processor 435 to perform one or more of the functionsdescribed herein.

Additionally, in certain embodiments, memory 440 may store virtuallayouts 205 and sets of videos 450. Each of virtual layouts 205 athrough 205 n corresponds to a different physical store 100 and isconfigured to emulate the physical layout 200 of physical store 100.Virtual layouts 205 may be stored in memory 440 according to a storeidentification number. In this manner, a given virtual layout 205 a maybe retrieved from memory 440 using the store identification number. Thisdisclosure contemplates that set of videos 450 includes the camera feedsegments 415 and rack camera feed segments 425 assigned to a givenperson 105, for example, through identification number 455. Suchsegments are video recordings of camera feeds received by virtual storetool 405 from layout cameras 490 and rack cameras 495, respectively. Forexample, set of videos 450 may include camera feed segments 415 athrough 415 f and rack camera feed segments 425, assigned to a person105. The manner in which virtual store tool 405 generates sets of videos450 is described in further detail below, in the discussion of FIG. 6 .

Interface 445 represents any suitable device operable to receiveinformation from networks 430 a and 430 b, transmit information throughnetworks 430 a and 430 b, perform suitable processing of theinformation, communicate to other devices, or any combination of thepreceding. For example, interface 445 receives camera feeds from layoutcameras 490 and rack cameras 495. As another example, interface 445receives input from device 115. Interface 445 represents any port orconnection, real or virtual, including any suitable hardware and/orsoftware, including protocol conversion and data processingcapabilities, to communicate through a LAN, WAN, or other communicationsystems that allows virtual store tool 405 to exchange information withdevice 115, layout cameras 490, rack cameras 495, and/or othercomponents of system 400 via networks 430 a and 430 b.

External system 485 represents any system operable to receive input fromsensors 498 located in physical store 100 and to apply an algorithm 488to this input to track customers 105 in physical store 100 and/or todetermine physical items 315 selected by such customers during shoppingsessions in physical store 100. Embodiments of external system 485 aredescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/663,710 entitled,“Topview Object Tracking Using a Sensor Array”, the contents of whichare incorporated by reference herein. This disclosure contemplates thatsensors 498 may include any type of suitable sensors, located inphysical store 100, and operable to detect customers 105 in physicalstore 100. For example, physical store 100 may include cameras, lightdetection and range sensors, millimeter wave sensors, weight sensors,and/or any other appropriate sensors, operable to track a customer 105in physical store 100 and detect information associated with customer105 selecting one or more items 315 from physical store 100. Thisdisclosure also contemplates that algorithm(s) 488 may be any suitablealgorithm(s) for tracking customers 105 in physical store 100 anddetermining items 315 selected by customers 105. For example, in certainembodiments, algorithm(s) 488 may be a machine learning algorithm(s).

Layout cameras 490 and rack cameras 495 are located in physical store100. Each of layout cameras 490 a through 490 f is directed at alocation in physical store 100 and captures video and/or images of aregion in space around the location. Each of rack cameras 495 isdirected at a physical display rack 210 located in physical store 100and captures video and/or images of the physical display rack 210 andthe region in space around the physical display rack 210. Thisdisclosure contemplates that any number of layout cameras 490 may beinstalled in physical store 100 and connected to virtual store tool 405through network 430 b. Similarly, any number of rack cameras 495 may beinstalled in physical store 100 and connected to virtual store tool 405through network 430 b. For example, in some embodiments, physical store100 contains the same number of rack cameras 495 as physical shelves210. In other embodiments, physical store 100 contains more rack cameras495 than physical shelves 210. In certain embodiments, rack cameras 495are the same as layout cameras 490. In other embodiments, rack cameras495 are distinct from layout cameras 490. The operation of layoutcameras 490 and rack cameras 495 is described in further detail below,in the discussion of FIGS. 5 and 6 .

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systemsdescribed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, system 400 may include any number of users 120, devices 115,displays 410, networks 430 a and 430 b, layout cameras 490, rack cameras495, and external systems 485. The components may be integrated orseparated. Moreover, the operations may be performed by more, fewer, orother components. Additionally, the operations may be performed usingany suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or other logic.

III. Customer-Based Video Tracking

As described above, virtual store tool 405 may use virtual layout 205 toemulate a shopping session of a customer 105 in a physical store 100captured by cameras feed segments 415 and/or 425. FIGS. 5 through 8 areused to describe the method by which virtual store tool 405 generatesand displays camera feed segments 415 and/or 425.

a. Cameras Used for Customer-Based Video Tracking

FIG. 5A illustrates example locations of layout cameras 490 and rackcameras 495 in a physical store 100. The numbers of layout cameras 490and rack cameras 495 chosen for a physical store 100 may depend on thesize and/or layout of physical store 100.

As seen in the example of FIG. 5A, physical store 100 may include fivelayout cameras 490 a through 490 e. While illustrated as located on theceiling of physical store 100, this disclosure contemplates that layoutcameras 490 may be mounted anywhere in physical store 100. Additionally,in the example of FIG. 5A, physical store 100 may include four rackcameras 495 a through 495 d. While illustrated as located both on theceiling and sidewalls of physical store 100, this disclosurecontemplates that rack cameras 495 may be mounted anywhere in physicalstore 100. Rack cameras 495 may be separate from layout cameras 490 orthe same as layout cameras 490.

Each of rack cameras 495 is directed at a rack 210 located in physicalstore 100. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, rack camera 495 a isdirected at physical display rack 210 a, rack camera 495 b is directedat physical display rack 210 b, rack camera 495 c is directed atphysical display rack 210 c, and rack camera 495 d is directed atphysical display rack 210 d. While FIG. 5A illustrates a set of fivelayout cameras 490 and a set of four rack cameras 495 in physical store100, this disclosure contemplates that any suitable number of layoutcameras 490 and rack cameras 495 may be used in physical store 100,depending on the size and/or layout of physical store 100. FIG. 5Aadditionally illustrates a set of turnstiles 510 located in physicalstore 100. Turnstiles 510 may be used to control the entry and exit ofcustomers 105 into or out of physical store 100, as described in furtherdetail below, in the discussion of FIG. 6 .

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, each of layout cameras 490 is directed at aparticular location in physical store 100 and captures a region 505 ofthe layout 200 of physical store 100, surrounding the location. Forexample, first layout camera 490 a is directed at a first location andcaptures video and/or images of a first region 505 a of physical store100; second layout camera 490 b is directed at a second location andcaptures video and/or images of a second region 505 b of physical store100; third layout camera 490 c is directed at a third location andcaptures video and/or images of a third region 505 c of physical store100; fourth layout camera 490 d is directed at a fourth location andcaptures video and/or images of a fourth region 505 d of physical store100; and fifth layout camera 490 e is directed at a fifth location andcaptures video and/or images of a fifth region 505 e of physical store100. In certain embodiments, layout cameras 490 may capture overlappingregions of physical store 100. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5B,all of third region 505 c is overlapped by portions of first region 505a, second region 505 b, fourth region 505 d, and fifth region 505 e. Theoverlapping regions of physical store 100 may be a result of theproximity of layout cameras 490 to one another. Generally, by capturingoverlapping regions of physical store 100, certain portions of physicallayout 200 can be captured by multiple layout cameras 490. This may bedesirable, to provide sufficient camera coverage of physical layout 200in the event that certain of layout cameras 490 malfunction or gooffline.

While illustrated in FIG. 5B as rectangular in shape, this disclosurecontemplates that regions 505 may be of any shape or size. For example,in certain embodiments, regions 505 are elliptical in shape. In someembodiments, regions 505 are of uniform size and shape. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 5B, regions 505 a through 505 e are all the sameshape and size. In other embodiments, regions 505 may include regions505 of different sizes and shapes.

b. Camera Feed Processing

The videos and/or images of physical store 100 captured by layoutcameras 490 and/or rack cameras 495 are transmitted to virtual storetool 405 in the form of camera feeds. Virtual store tool 405 then usesvideo processor 465 to generate camera feed segments 415 and rack camerafeed segments 425, assigned to a person 105 conducting a shoppingsession in physical store 100, based on these camera feeds. FIG. 6illustrates the operation of video processor 465 of virtual store tool405.

FIG. 6 presents an example of the operation of video processor 465 ofvirtual store tool 405, in an embodiment that includes a first layoutcamera 490 a, a second layout camera 490 b, and a rack camera 495 a. Asillustrated in FIG. 6 , video processor 465 receives first camera feed605 a from first layout camera 490 a, second camera feed 605 b fromsecond layout camera 490 b, and rack camera feed 620 a from rack camera495 a. In certain embodiments, video processor 465 receives first camerafeed 605 a, second camera feed 605 b, and rack camera feed 620 adirectly from layout cameras 490 a, 490 b, and rack camera 495 a. Insome embodiments, video processor 465 receives first camera feed 605 a,second camera feed 605 b, and rack camera feed 620 a from interface 445.

Prior to processing camera feeds 605 a, 605 b, and 620 a, videoprocessor 465 first determines that a person 105, associated with anidentification number 455, entered physical store 100. This disclosurecontemplates that video processor 465 may determine that person 105entered physical store 100 in any suitable manner. For example, incertain embodiments, physical store 100 includes turnstiles 510, whichcontrol the entry of persons 105 into the store. A turnstile 510 mayopen upon person 105 scanning a QR code, located on a physical card or amobile device 125 belonging to person 105, using a scanner 515 attachedto the turnstile 510. Accordingly, the scanning of the QR code maygenerate a notification, sent to virtual store tool 405, indicating thatperson 105 entered physical store 100. As another example, in someembodiments, an algorithm 488 may be used to determine that person 105entered physical store 100, based on information received from sensors498 located in physical store 100. An example of such an algorithm 488will be described in further detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 13through 16 .

This disclosure contemplates that camera feeds 605 and 620 aresynchronized in terms of timestamps, such that video associated with agiven timestamp from each of camera feeds 605 a, 605 b, and 620 acorresponds to the same real time within physical store 100. Suchsynchronization may be achieved in any suitable manner. For example, incertain embodiments, layout cameras 490 and rack cameras 495 are pluggedinto the same ethernet switch. Determining that person 105 enteredphysical store 100 may then include receiving a starting timestamp 610corresponding to the timestamp at which person 105 entered physicalstore 100.

Given that data packets associated with first camera feed 605 a, secondcamera feed 605 b, and rack camera feed 620 a may arrive at virtualstore tool 405 over network 430 b at different times, this disclosurecontemplates that rather than virtual store tool 405 streaming firstcamera feed 605 a, second camera feed 605 b, and rack camera feed 620 afrom starting timestamp 610 onwards, video processor 465 of virtuallayout tool 405 stores recordings of first camera feed 605 a, secondcamera feed 605 b, and rack camera feed 620 a, lasting a predefinedamount of time, in memory 440. Such recordings may then be replayed,each synchronized with the others according to timestamps. Accordingly,once video processor 465 determines starting timestamp 610,corresponding to the timestamp at which person 105 entered physicalstore 100, video processor 465 next prepares segments of each camerafeed, starting at starting timestamp 610 and ending at ending timestamp615. Video processor 465 then stores these segments in memory 440. Forexample, video processor 465 prepares first camera feed segment 415 a,corresponding to a recording of first camera feed 605 a from startingtimestamp 610 to ending timestamp 615, second camera feed segment 415 b,corresponding to a recording of second camera feed 605 b from startingtimestamp 610 to ending timestamp 615, and rack camera feed segment 425a, corresponding to a recording of rack camera feed 620 a from startingtimestamp 610 to ending timestamp 615. Video processor 465 then storeseach of segments 415 a, 415 b, and 425 a in memory 450.

This disclosure contemplates that the time interval between startingtimestamp 610 and ending timestamp 615 may be any predetermined amountof time. For example, in certain embodiments, the time interval is fiveminutes. In order to capture video of a shopping session lasting morethan this predetermined amount of time, once camera feeds 605 a, 605 b,and 620 a reach ending timestamp 615, video processor 465 may storeadditional recordings of camera feeds 605 a, 605 b, and 620 a, startingat ending timestamp 615 and ending at a new ending timestamp, the newending timestamp occurring at the predetermined amount of time afterending timestamp 615. Video processor 465 may store any number ofadditional camera feed segments in memory 440, each corresponding to anadditional predetermined interval of time. In certain embodiments, videoprocessor 465 continues to record such additional camera feed segmentsuntil it receives an indication that person 105 has left physical store100.

Video processor 465 may store camera feed segments 415 and 425 for anynumber of persons 105. Accordingly, video processor 465 may store acollection of camera feed segments 415 and 425 assigned to a person 105as set of videos 450, where set of videos 450 is assigned identificationnumber 455 associated with person 105. As an example, a first person 105a may enter physical store 100 at a first starting timestamp 610 a and asecond person 105 b may enter physical store 100 at a second startingtimestamp 610 b after the first starting timestamp 610 a, wherein thesecond starting timestamp 610 b is within the predefined time intervalafter first starting timestamp 610 a, such that the camera feed segmentsrecorded for first person 105 a will contain video that overlaps withthe camera feed segments recorded for second person 105 b. Accordingly,video processor 465 may store the camera feed segments recorded forfirst person 105 a, along with an identification number 455 a, assignedto first person 105 a, in memory 440, as set of videos 450 a. Similarly,video processor 465 may store the camera feed segments recorded forsecond person 105 b, along with an identification number 455 b, assignedto second person 105 b, in memory 440, as set of videos 450 b. Virtualstore tool 405 may then retrieve from memory 440 the camera feedsegments associated with a given person 105, using the identificationnumber 455 assigned to that person.

Video processor 465 may be a software module stored in memory 440 andexecuted by processor 435. An example of the operation of videoprocessor 465 is as follows: (1) receive camera feeds 605 and 620 fromcameras 490 and 495, respectively; (2) determine that a person 105entered physical store 100; (3) determine the timestamp 610corresponding to the time at which person 105 entered physical store100; (4) record camera feed segments 415 and 425 from camera feeds 605and 620, respectively, where the camera feed segments correspond torecordings of camera feeds 605 and 620 from timestamp 610, correspondingto the time at which person 105 entered physical store 100, and lastinga predetermined amount of time to ending timestamp 615; and (5) storecamera feed segments 415 and 425 in memory 440 according to anidentification number 455 of person 105, as set of videos 450.

c. Displaying Camera Feed Segments

Once video processor 465 has recorded set of videos 450 from camerafeeds 605 and 620, virtual store tool 405 may then use displaycontroller 470 to display set of videos 450 on display 410 of device115. In certain embodiments, virtual store tool 405 may display set ofvideos 450 on display 410 of device 115 in the form of a graphical userinterface 700. FIGS. 7A through 7C present an example illustrating themanner in which virtual store tool 405 displays set of videos 450 ondisplay 410.

FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment in which virtual store tool 405instructs display 410 to display four camera feed segments 415 a through415 d. Virtual store tool 405 displays first camera feed segment 415 ain a first region 750 of display 410, second camera feed segment 415 bin a second region 755 of display 410, third camera feed segment 415 cin a third region 760 of display 410, and fourth camera feed segment 415d in a fourth region 765 of display 410. Virtual store tool 405 mayinstruct display 410 to display any number of camera feed segments 415.For example, in certain embodiments, virtual display tool 405 mayinstruct display 410 to display the same number of camera feed segments415 as stored in set of videos 450. In some embodiments, virtual displaytool 405 may instruct display 410 to display fewer camera feed segments415 than stored in set of videos 450. This may be desirable inembodiments in which physical store 100 is a large store that includes alarge number of layout cameras 490. In such embodiments, displaying allof camera feed segments 415 on display 410 may make it difficult for auser 120 to view specific features of physical store 100 in any one ofthe displayed camera feed segments 415. Accordingly, virtual store tool405 may display a subset of camera feed segments 415 on display 410.Virtual store tool 405 may select a subset of camera feed segments 415to display on display 410 in any suitable manner. As an example, incertain embodiments, virtual store tool 405 may display a subset ofcamera feed segments 415 that includes, at any given time, those camerafeed segments 415 capturing regions of physical store 100 closest to thelocation of person 105, to whom set of videos 450 is assigned. In suchembodiments, when set of videos 450 depicts person 105 moving to a newlocation in physical store 100, virtual store tool 405 may replace thesubset of camera feed segments 415 currently displayed on display 410with a new subset of camera feed segments 415, which includes thosecamera feed segments 415 that capture regions of physical store 100closest to the new location of person 105. Virtual store tool 405 maydetermine the subset of camera feed segments 415 that capture regions ofphysical store 100 closest to the location or person 105 in any suitablemanner. For example, in certain embodiments, virtual store tool 405 mayreceive an indication of the location of person 105 from amachine-learning algorithm 488 configured to track the locations of aperson 105 in physical store 100, based on inputs received from a set ofsensors 498 located in physical store 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, in addition to displaying camera feedsegments 415, virtual store tool 405 also assigns a slider bar 705 toset of videos 450 and displays copies of slider bar 705 along with eachcamera feed segment 415. For example, virtual store tool 405 displays afirst copy 705 a of slider bar 705 along with first camera feed segment415 a, a second copy 705 b of slider bar 705 along with second camerafeed segment 415 b, a third copy 705 c of slider bar 705 along withthird camera feed segment 415 c, and a fourth copy 705 d of slider bar705 along with fourth camera feed segment 415 d. Each copy of slider bar705 may contain a slider 710 configured to control the playback progressof the associated camera feed segment 415. For example, the position ofslider 710 on slider bar 705 indicates the current playback progress ofthe associated camera feed segment 415. The position of slider 710 maybe manually adjusted (e.g., by a user 120) to a new positioncorresponding to a new playback time. Such adjustment may result in theplayback of the associated camera feed segment adjusting to the newplayback time.

In certain embodiments, the playback of each camera feed segment 415 issynchronized with that of the other camera feed segments 415, such thatan adjustment of the slider 710 on any of the copies of slider bar 705leads to a corresponding adjustment of the playback progress of all ofthe displayed camera feed segments 415. For example, if slider 710 isadjusted on first copy 705 a of slider bar 705 from a first playbacktime to a second playback time, slider 710 on second copy 705 b ofslider bar 705, slider 710 on third copy 705 c of slider bar 705, andslider 710 on fourth copy 705 d of slider bar 705 will all similarlyadjust from the first playback time to the second playback time. Thismay be desirable for a user 120 using camera feed segments 415 toobserve a shopping session of a customer 105 in physical store 100. User120 may adjust the playback progress of camera feed segments 415 untiluser 120 determines that camera feed segments 415 have reached a pointof interest to user 120, rather than viewing the entire, uninterruptedplayback of camera feed segments 415.

In certain embodiments, slider bar 705 may include one or more markers715. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, slider bar 705 may includea first marker 715 a, located at a first marker position on slider bar705 and corresponding to a first marker playback time, as well as asecond marker 715 b, located at a second marker position on slider bar705 and corresponding to a second marker playback time. First marker 715a is associated with a first event occurring at the first markerplayback time and second marker 715 b is associated with a second eventoccurring at the second marker playback time. The first event and thesecond event may include any type of events occurring within physicalstore 100. For example, the first event may be associated with a person105 a selecting a physical item 315 a from a physical shelf 305 alocated in a physical rack 210 a in physical store 100. Similarly, thesecond event may be associated with person 105 a selecting a secondphysical item 315 b from a second physical shelf 305 b located in asecond physical rack 210 b in physical store 100.

The locations for first marker 715 a and second marker 715 b on sliderbar 705 may be determined in any suitable manner. As an example, incertain embodiments, the first event, associated with first marker 715a, and the second event, associated with second marker 715 b, may bedetermined by an algorithm 488, based on a set of inputs received fromsensors 498 located within physical store 100. For example, algorithm488 may determine that the first event takes place at a first time,corresponding to a first timestamp, and that the second event takesplace at a second time, corresponding to a second timestamp. Virtualstore tool 405 may then use the first and second timestamps to placefirst marker 715 a and second marker 715 b on slider bar 705, atpositions corresponding to the timestamps. An example algorithm 488,used to determine the timing of the first and second events, isdescribed in further detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 13 through16 . The use of markers 715 may be desirable for a user 120 using camerafeed segments 415 to observe a shopping session of customer 105 inphysical store 100. Rather than viewing the entire, uninterruptedplayback of camera feed segments 415, user 120 may adjust the playbackprogress of camera feed segments 415 until slider 710 reaches one of theevents associated with first marker 715 a or second marker 715 b, to,for example, observe customer 105 selecting a physical item 315 from aphysical rack 210 in physical store 100.

As described above, in the discussion of FIG. 6 , each of camera feedsegments 415 is of a predetermined time interval, lasting from astarting timestamp 610 to an ending timestamp 615. Accordingly, incertain embodiments in which customer 105 remains within physical store100 for longer than the predetermined time interval, multiple camerafeed segments may exist, from each of layout cameras 490. For example,virtual store tool 405 may store in memory 440 camera feed segments 415for a first time interval, a second time interval, a third timeinterval, and a fourth time interval. Memory 440 stores any number ofcamera feed segments 415 for any number of time intervals. In suchembodiments, when slider 710 reaches the end of slider bar 705, virtualstore tool 405 may replace those camera feed segments 415 currentlydisplayed on display 410, with the next set of camera feed segments 415,corresponding to the time interval immediately following the timeinterval captured by the currently displayed set of camera feed segments415. This process of replacing the currently displayed camera feedsegments 415 with a new set of camera feed segments 415, correspondingto the time interval immediately following the time interval captured bythe currently displayed set of camera feed segments 415 may continueuntil virtual store tool 405 determines that customer 105 has leftphysical store 100.

Virtual store tool 405 may determine that customer 105 has left physicalstore 100 in any suitable manner. As an example, in certain embodiments,virtual store tool 405 may determine that customer 105 has left physicalstore 100 based on input received from user 120. For example, inembodiments in which set of videos 450 are displayed on display 410 inthe form of a graphical user interface 700, the graphical user interface700 may include an interactive button 730 (e.g., an exit customerbutton) through which user 120 may indicate that he/she observedcustomer 105 exiting physical store 100, on camera feed segments 415, asillustrated in FIG. 7B. As another example, virtual store tool 405 maydetermine that customer 105 has left physical store 100 based oninformation received from an algorithm 488 configured to track customers105 within physical store 100. Such as algorithm 488 is described infurther detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 13 through 16 . As afurther example, virtual store tool 405 may determine that customer 105has left physical store 100 based on information received from physicalstore 100. For example, physical store 100 may include a set ofturnstiles 510 near the exit of physical store 100. In order to open aturnstile 510 and leave physical store 100, a customer 105 may be askedto scan the same QR code that he/she used to enter physical store 100.Scanning the QR code may then send a signal to virtual store tool 405,indicating that customer 105 has exited physical store 100.

In certain embodiments, in order to assist a user 120 in determiningwhich of camera feed segments 415 may include information of interest,virtual store tool 405 is configured to highlight certain camera feedsegments 415, at certain times, based on events depicted in those camerafeed segments 415, at those certain times. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 7B, virtual store tool 405 may be configured to determine that agiven camera feed segment 415 a depicts customer 105 at a first time.Accordingly, virtual store tool 405 may highlight camera feed segment415 a in response to determining that slider 710 on slider bar 705reached that first time. Here, highlighting camera feed segment 415 amay include any manner by which virtual store tool 405 may drawattention toward camera feed segment 415 a. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 7B, highlighting camera feed segment 415 a may include placing aframe 720 around camera feed segment 415 a. As another example,highlighting camera feed segment 415 a may include increasing the sizeof camera feed segment 415 a, depicted on display 410, relative to theother camera feed segments 415.

In certain embodiments, the graphical user interface 700 displayed ondisplay 410 may be used by a user 120 to monitor a shopping session of acustomer 105 a in physical store 100. To aid such a user 120 inmonitoring a particular customer 105 a in a physical store that includesseveral other customers 105, virtual store tool 405 may additionallydisplay an image 725 of customer 105 a, captured when customer 105 aentered physical store 100. For example, in certain embodiments in whichphysical store 100 includes turnstiles 510 to control the entry ofpersons 105 into the store, physical store 100 may include a cameraconfigured to take an image 725 of customer 105 a as customer 105 apasses through a turnstile 510.

In certain embodiments in which slider bar 705 includes one or moremarkers 715, each marker 715 may include metadata 740 describing theevent associated with the marker 715. An example of one such embodimentis illustrated in FIG. 7C. As described above, in the discussion of FIG.7A, each marker 715 a and 715 b may be associated with an eventconsisting of customer 105 a selecting a physical item 315 from aphysical shelf 305 of a physical rack 210 located in physical store 100.Accordingly, each marker may include metadata 740 indicating anidentification number 745 assigned to the physical item 315 selected bycustomer 105 a, an identification number 750 assigned to the physicalshelf 305 from which customer 105 a selected the physical item 315,and/or an identification number 755 assigned to the physical rack 210that includes the physical shelf 305 from which customer 105 a selectedthe physical item 315. In certain embodiments, item identificationnumber 745 may correspond to a zone identification number 745,identifying a zone of physical shelf 305 from which customer 105 aselected the physical item 315. The use of shelf zones will be describedin further detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 13C and 13D.

Virtual store tool 405 may use metadata 740 in any suitable manner. Forexample, in certain embodiments, when slider 710 on slider bar 705reaches first marker 715 a, virtual store tool 405 may use metadata 740to determine that customer 105 selected a physical item 315 fromphysical rack 210. Accordingly, virtual store tool 405 may display rackcamera segment 425 a on display 410, where rack camera segment 425 adepicts video of physical rack 210. Rack camera segment 425 a may besynchronized with camera feed segments 415 a through 415 d, such that anadjustment of the slider 710 on any of the copies of slider bar 705leads to a corresponding adjustment of the playback progress of rackcamera segment 425 a. Automatically displaying rack camera segment 425a, in response to slider 710 reaching marker 715 on slider bar 705 maybe desirable, to provide a user 120 with a view of physical rack 210through which user 120 is able to observe customer 105 selecting aphysical item 315 from physical rack 210. In certain embodiments, user120 may be able to use a second graphical user interface to choose arack camera 495 from among several potential rack cameras 495 to assignto physical rack 210, to provide user 120 with a rack camera segment 425a that displays the best view of physical rack 210, as determined byuser 120. This aspect of virtual store tool 405 will be described infurther detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 11 and 12 .

FIG. 8 presents a flowchart illustrating the process by which virtualstore tool 405 generates camera feed segments 415 and 425 and displayssuch segments on display 410. In step 805, virtual store tool 405receives a set of layout camera feeds 605 from a set of layout cameras490 and a set of and rack camera feeds 620 from a set of rack cameras495 located in physical store 100. In step 810, virtual store tool 405determines whether a person 105 entered physical store 100. Thisdisclosure contemplates that virtual store tool 405 may determine thatperson 105 entered physical store 100 in any suitable manner. Forexample, in certain embodiments, physical store 100 includes turnstiles510, which control the entry of persons 105 into the store. A turnstile510 may be opened upon person 105 scanning a QR code, located on aphysical card or a mobile device 125 belonging to person 105.Accordingly, the scanning of the QR code may generate a notification,sent to virtual store tool 405, to indicate that person 105 enteredphysical store 100. As another example, in some embodiments, analgorithm 488 may be used to determine that person 105 entered physicalstore 100, based on information received from sensors 498 located inphysical store 100.

If, in step 810, virtual store tool 405 determines that person 105entered physical store 100, in step 815, virtual store tool 405 stores aset of camera feed segments 415 and 425 in memory 440. Each camera feedsegment of camera feed segments 415 corresponds to a recording of one ofthe camera feeds 605 from a starting timestamp 610 to an endingtimestamp 615. Similarly, each rack camera feed segment of rack camerafeed segments 425 corresponds to a recording of one of the rack camerafeeds 620 from starting timestamp 610 to ending timestamp 615. Startingtimestamp 610 corresponds to the time at which person 105 enteredphysical store 100. Ending timestamp 615 corresponds to a predeterminedtime interval after starting timestamp 610.

In step 820, virtual store tool 405 assigns copies of a slider bar 705to each camera feed segment 415 and 425. Slider 710 on each copy ofslider bar 705 moves forward as the corresponding camera feed segment415 and/or 425 progresses. In certain embodiments, the copies of sliderbar 705 are synchronized with one another such that all of camera feedsegments 415 and 425 progress together, at the same pace. Additionally,in such embodiments, an adjustment of the slider 710 on any of thecopies of slider bar 705 leads to a corresponding adjustment of theplayback progress of all of camera feed segments 415 and 425. This maybe desirable for a user 120 using camera feed segments 415 to observe ashopping session of a customer 105 in physical store 100. User 120 mayadjust the playback progress of camera feed segments 415 until user 120determines that camera feed segments 415 have reached a point ofinterest to user 120, rather than viewing the entire, uninterruptedplayback of camera feed segments 415.

In step 825, virtual store tool 405 presents one or more camera feedsegments 415 and/or 425 on display 410, along with corresponding copiesof slider bar 705. For example, virtual store tool 405 may display firstcamera feed segment 415 a, along with first copy 705 a of slider bar 705in a first region of display 410, second camera feed segment 415 b,along with second copy 705 b of slider bar 705 in a second region ofdisplay 410, third camera feed segment 415 c, along with third copy 705c of slider bar 705 in a third region of display 410, and fourth camerafeed segment 415 d, along with fourth copy 705 d of slider bar 705 in afourth region of display 410. Virtual store tool 405 additionally playscamera feed segments 415 and/or 425, such that slider 710 on each copyof slider bar 705 progresses.

In step 830, virtual store tool 405 next determines whether anadjustment occurred for any slider 710 in a copy of slider bar 705, froma first position on slider bar 705 to a second position on slider bar705, where the first position corresponds to a first playback time andthe second position corresponds to a second playback time. If, in step830, virtual store tool 405 determines that an adjustment occurred,virtual store tool 405 next adjusts the playback progress of each ofcamera feed segments 415 and 425 from the first playback time to thesecond playback time.

In step 840, virtual store tool 405 determines whether person 105 hasleft physical store 100. Virtual store tool 405 may determine thatcustomer 105 has left physical store 100 in any suitable manner. As anexample, in certain embodiments, virtual store tool 405 may determinethat customer 105 has left physical store 100 based on input receivedfrom user 120. For example, in embodiments in which camera feed segments415 and/or 425 are displayed on display 410 in the form of a graphicaluser interface 700, the graphical user interface 700 may include aninteractive button 730 (e.g., an exit customer button) through whichuser 120 may indicate that he/she observed customer 105 exiting physicalstore 100 on one or more camera feed segments 415. As another example,virtual store tool 405 may determine that customer 105 has left physicalstore 100 based on information received from an algorithm 488 configuredto track customers 105 within physical store 100. Such as algorithm 488is described in further detail below, in the discussion of FIGS. 13through 16 . As a further example, virtual store tool 405 may determinethat customer 105 has left physical store 100 based on informationreceived from physical store 100. For example, physical store 100 mayinclude a set of turnstiles 510 near the exit of physical store 100. Inorder to open a turnstile 510 and leave physical store 100, a customer105 may be asked to scan the same QR code that he/she used to enterphysical store 100. Scanning the QR code may then send a signal tovirtual store tool 405, indicating that customer 105 has exited physicalstore 100.

If, in step 840, virtual store tool 405 determines that person 105 hasnot left physical store 100, in step 845, virtual store tool 405determines whether camera feed segments 415 and 425 have reached endingtimestamp 615. If, in step 845, virtual store tool 405 determines thatcamera feed segments 415 and 425 have not reached ending timestamp 615,virtual store tool returns to step 830, to determine whether anadjustment occurred for any slider 710 in a copy of slider bar 705, froma first position on slider bar 705 to a second position on slider bar705. On the other hand, if, in step 845, virtual store tool 405determines that camera feed segments 415 and 425 have reached endingtimestamp 615, virtual store tool 405 returns to step 825 and displays anew set of camera feed segments 415 and/or 425 on display 410, where thenew set of camera feed segments corresponds to recordings of camerafeeds 605 and/or 620 over a time interval immediately following theprevious time interval associated with the previous set of camera feedsegments 415 and/or 425.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 800depicted in FIG. 8 . Method 800 may include more, fewer, or other steps.For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in any suitableorder. While discussed as virtual store tool 405 (or components thereof)performing the steps, any suitable component of system 400, such asdevice(s) 115 for example, may perform one or more steps of the method.

IV. Virtual Emulation of a Shopping Session

As described above, camera feed segments 415 and 425 may be used inconjunction with virtual layout 205 in order to virtually emulate ashopping session occurring in physical store 100 and captured by camerafeed segments 415 and/or 425. For example, in certain embodiments,camera feed segments 415 and 425, along with virtual layout 205, may bepresented to a user 120, in the form of a graphical user interface 700.Here, camera feed segments 415 and 425 may be assigned to a customer 105and capture a shopping session of customer 105 in physical store 100.User 120 may monitor camera feed segments 415 and 425 to view customer120 selecting physical items 315 from physical racks 210. Accordingly,user 120 may populate a virtual shopping cart 420 with virtual items 320that represent the physical items 315 selected by customer 105, suchthat at the end of customer 105's shopping session, virtual shoppingcart 420 may include a virtual item 320 for each physical item 315selected by customer 105.

FIGS. 9A through 9D present further examples of a graphical userinterface 700, displayed on display 410, that may be used to virtuallyemulate a shopping session occurring in physical store 100 and capturedby camera feed segments 415 and 425. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, virtualstore tool 405 may display camera feed segments 415 in a first region955 of display 410, as described above in the discussion of FIGS. 7Athrough 7C. Virtual store tool 405 may additionally display virtuallayout 205 in a second region 960 of display 410. Virtual layout 205 isconfigured to emulate the physical layout 200 of physical store 100. Asillustrated in FIG. 9A, virtual layout 205 includes a set of virtualracks 230. This disclosure contemplates that virtual layout 205 mayinclude any number of virtual racks 230, where the number of virtualracks 230 displayed on virtual layout 205 corresponds to the number ofphysical racks 210 in physical store 100. The layout of virtual racks230 in virtual layout 205 is configured to emulate the arrangement ofthe corresponding physical racks 210 in physical store 100.

a. Receiving an Indication of an Event

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, virtual store tool 405 may receive anindication of an event associated with a physical rack 210 a located inphysical store 100. In certain embodiments, the event associated withphysical rack 210 a may include customer 105 interacting with physicalrack 210 a. For example, the event associated with physical rack 210 amay include customer 105 a approaching physical rack 210 a, and/orselecting a physical item 315 f from physical rack 210 a. The indicationof the event may include any suitable indication received by virtualstore tool 405. For example, in certain embodiments, the indication ofthe event may include user 120 selecting virtual shelf 230 a in virtuallayout 205, in response to viewing customer 105 approaching and/orinteracting with physical rack 210 a. As another example, the indicationof the event may include slider 710 on slider bar 705 reaching a marker715, where the marker 715 indicates the physical rack 210 associatedwith the event, through metadata 740. As a further example, in certainembodiments, the indication of the event may include receivinginformation from an algorithm 488 configured to determine that customer105 approached and/or selected an item 315 from physical rack 210 a,based on inputs received from sensors 498 located in physical store 100.

In certain embodiments, in which the graphical user interface 700displayed on display 410 may be used by a user 120 to monitor a shoppingsession of a customer 105 in physical store 100, virtual store tool 405may display a predicted location 950 of customer 105 on virtual layout205, based on the current playback progress of camera feed segments 415and/or 425. Predicted location 950 may correspond to the probablelocation of customer 105 in physical layout 200, as determined by analgorithm 488 configured to track customers 105 in physical store 100,based on inputs received from sensors 498 located in physical store 100,at a physical time corresponding to the current playback progress ofcamera feed segments 415 and/or 425. This may aid a user 120 inmonitoring a particular customer 105 a in a physical store that includesseveral other customers 105. While illustrated in FIG. 9B as dot 950 onvirtual layout 205, the predicted location of customer 105 may bepresented on virtual layout 205 in any suitable manner. For example, thepredicted location may be a line, including the predicted path ofcustomer 105. In such embodiments, the indication of the event mayinclude user 120 selecting virtual shelf 230 a in virtual layout 205, inresponse to viewing customer 105 approaching and/or interacting withphysical rack 210 a and/or viewing predicted location 950 of customer105 on virtual layout 205 indicating customer 105's proximity tophysical rack 210 a.

In response to receiving the indication of the event, virtual store tool405 may display the virtual rack 230 a corresponding to the physicalrack 210 a associated with the event, in a third region 905 of display410, where virtual rack 230 a is configured to emulate physical rack 210a. In certain embodiments, third region 905 of display 410 may belocated to the right of virtual layout 205. In certain embodiments,virtual store tool 405 may additionally highlight virtual rack 230 a, invirtual layout 205, in response to receiving the indication of the eventassociated with physical rack 210 a. Highlighting virtual rack 230 a mayinclude any method of distinguishing virtual rack 230 a from the othervirtual racks 230 b through 230 k. For example, as illustrated in FIG.9B, highlighting virtual rack 230 a may include placing a frame aroundvirtual rack 230 a. Highlighting virtual rack 230 a may additionallyinclude applying a color to virtual rack 230 a, and/or any othersuitable method of distinguishing virtual rack 230 a from the remainingvirtual racks 230 b through 230 k.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, virtual rack 230 a, displayed in third region905 of display 410 includes a set of virtual items 320 a through 320 h.Virtual items 320 a through 320 h are configured to emulate the physicalitems stored on physical rack 210 a. In certain embodiments, virtualitems 320 a through 320 h are displayed in third region 905 as a list ofitems, where the names of the items in the list correspond to the namesof the physical items 315 a through 315 h stored on physical rack 210 a.In other embodiments, the appearance of virtual rack 230 a, displayed inthird region 905, is configured to emulate the appearance of physicalrack 210 a. For example, first virtual shelf 310 a is configured toemulate first physical shelf 305 a, second virtual shelf 310 b isconfigured to emulate second physical shelf 305 b, and third virtualshelf 310 c is configured to emulate third physical shelf 305 c. Inparticular, first virtual item 320 a is located in a first zone 330 a offirst virtual shelf 310 a to emulate the location of first physical item315 a in a first zone 325 a of first physical shelf 305 a. Similarly,second virtual item 320 b is located in a second zone 330 b of firstvirtual shelf 310 a, to the right of first virtual item 320 a, toemulate the location of second physical item 315 b in a second zone 325b of first physical shelf 305 a, and third virtual item 320 c is locatedin a third zone 330 c of first virtual shelf 310 a, to the right ofsecond virtual item 320 b, to emulate the location of third physicalitem 315 c in a third zone 325 c of first physical shelf 305 a. Virtualitems 320 d through 320 f are similarly located on second virtual shelf310 b to emulate the locations of the physical items 315 d through 315f, located on second physical shelf 305 b, and virtual items 320 g and320 h are located on third virtual shelf 310 c to emulate the locationsof physical items 315 g and 315 h located on third physical shelf 305 c.To further emulate physical items 315, each of virtual items 320 mayinclude a graphical representation of the corresponding physical item315.

In addition to displaying virtual rack 230 a in region 905 of display410, in response to receiving the indication of the event associatedwith physical rack 210 a, virtual store tool 405 may also display rackcamera segment 425 a in a fourth region 970 of display 410, asillustrated in FIG. 9C. In certain embodiments, the fourth region 970 ofdisplay 410 is to the right of third region 905. Rack camera segment 425a depicts physical rack 210 a, during the time interval in which theevent occurs. For example, in embodiments in which the event includescustomer 105 approaching physical rack 210 a, rack camera segment 425 adepicts customer 105 approaching physical rack 210 a. As anotherexample, in embodiments in which the event includes customer 105selecting an item 315 f from physical rack 210 a, rack camera segment425 a depicts customer 105 selecting item 315 f from physical rack 210a.

Rack camera segment 425 a may be synchronized with camera feed segments415 a through 415 f, such that an adjustment of the slider 710 on any ofthe copies of slider bar 705 leads to a corresponding adjustment of theplayback progress of rack camera segment 425 a. Displaying rack camerasegment 425 a, in response to receiving the indication of the event maybe desirable, to provide a user 120 with a view of physical rack 210 athrough which user 120 is able to observer customer 105 approachingand/or interacting with physical rack 210 a. For example, rack camerasegment 425 a may help user 120 to see if customer 105 selected an item315 from physical rack 210 a. User 120 may then use this information topopulate virtual cart 420, as described in further detail below, in thediscussion of FIG. 9D. In certain embodiments, user 120 may be able toselect a rack camera 495 to assign to physical rack 210 to provide user120 with a rack camera segment 425 a that displays the best view ofphysical rack 210 a, as determined by user 120. This aspect of virtualstore tool 405 will be described in further detail below, in thediscussion of FIGS. 11 and 12 .

b. Receiving Information Identifying a Selected Item

In certain embodiments in which the event includes person 105 selectingan item from physical shelf 210 a, the indication of the event mayinclude information identifying the item selected by person 105. Forexample, if the event includes person 105 selecting physical item 315 ffrom physical rack 210 a, the indication of the event received byvirtual store tool 405 may include information identifying physical item315 f and/or virtual item 320 f. As an example, in certain embodiments,each physical shelf 305 of physical rack 210 a includes a set of weightsensors 1300, coupled to zones 325 of the physical shelf 305, asdescribed below, in the discussion of FIGS. 13B through 13D. When person105 removes an item 315 from physical shelf 305, the weight sensor 1300coupled to the zone 325 of physical shelf 305 on which the item 315 islocated may send information to virtual store tool 405 (either directly,or through other components of system 400, such as external system 485),indicating that the item 315 has been selected from physical shelf 305of physical rack 210 a. Virtual store tool 405 may use this informationto highlight the corresponding virtual item 320 on virtual rack 230 a,displayed in third region 905 of display 410. For example, a weightsensor coupled to a third zone of second physical shelf 305 b ofphysical rack 210 a may send information to virtual store tool 405indicating that item 315 f has been removed from the third zone ofsecond physical shelf 305 b of physical rack 210 a.

As another example, in certain embodiments, the indication of the eventmay include slider 710 on slider bar 705 reaching a marker 715. Markers715 may include metadata 740, as described above, in the discussion ofFIG. 7C. Metadata 740 may include information indicating anidentification number 745 assigned to the physical item 315 selected bycustomer 105, an identification number 750 assigned to the physicalshelf 305 from which customer 105 selected the physical item 315, and/oran identification number 755 assigned to the physical rack 210 thatincludes the physical shelf 305 from which customer 105 selected thephysical item 315. When, for example, slider 710 on slider bar 705reaches marker 715 a, virtual store tool 405 may read metadata 740assigned to marker 715 a, to identify that person 105 selected physicalitem 315 f from second physical shelf 305 b of physical rack 210 a.Markers 715 may be added to slider bar 705 in any suitable manner. Forexample, in certain embodiments, virtual display tool 405 adds markers715 to slider bar 705 based on information received from an algorithm488 configured to track customers 105 in physical store 100 and todetermine the physical items 315 selected by each customer 105, based oninputs received from sensors 498 located in physical store 100.

In response to receiving information identifying physical item 315 f asbeing the physical item selected by person 105 from physical rack 210 a,virtual store tool 405 may highlight sixth virtual item 320 f, locatedon second virtual shelf 310 b of virtual rack 230 a. Highlighting sixthvirtual item 320 f may include any method of distinguishing sixthvirtual item 320 f from the remaining virtual items 320. For example,highlighting sixth virtual item 320 f may include placing a frame aroundsixth virtual item 320 f, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, enlarging sixthvirtual item 320 f compared to the other virtual items 320, and/or anyother suitable method of distinguishing sixth virtual item 320 f fromthe remaining virtual items 320.

c. Populating a Virtual Cart

In certain embodiments, the graphical user interface 700 displayed byvirtual store tool 405 on display 410 may additionally include a virtualshopping cart 420, as illustrated in FIG. 9D. Virtual shopping cart 420may be used to further emulate a shopping session of a customer 105 inphysical store 100, by storing virtual items 320 corresponding to thephysical items 315 selected by person 105 during his/her shoppingsession. Virtual store tool 405 may display virtual shopping cart 420 ina fifth region 965 of display 410. In certain embodiments, the fifthregion 965 of display 410 is located between virtual rack 230 b,displayed in third region 905 of display 410, and rack camera segment425 a.

In certain such embodiments, receiving information identifying physicalitem 315 f as being the physical item selected by person 105 fromphysical rack 210 a, may include receiving information associated withdragging and dropping virtual item 320 f, corresponding to physical item315 f, from virtual rack 230 a, displayed in region 905, to virtualshopping cart 420. For example, a user 120 may observe customer 105selecting physical item 315 f on camera feeds segments 415 a through 415f and/or rack camera feed segment 425 a. Accordingly, user 120 mayselect virtual item 320 f from virtual rack 230 a, where virtual item320 f corresponds to physical item 315 f and is configured to emulatephysical item 315 f. User 120 may then drag virtual item 320 f tovirtual shopping cart 420 and drop virtual item 320 f in virtualshopping cart 420. In order to help aid user 120 in observing customer105 selecting a physical item 315 on camera feed segments 415 a through415 f and/or rack camera feed segment 425 a, in certain embodiments,user 120 can make any of the displayed camera feed segments 415 athrough 415 f and/or rack camera feed segment 425 a larger than theothers, by selecting the camera feed segments 415 a through 415 f and/orrack camera feed segment 425 a. For example, user 120 can click on agiven camera feed segment 415 or 425, to instruct virtual store tool 405to increase the size of the segment presented on display 410.

In response to receiving information identifying physical item 315 f asthe physical item selected by person 105 from physical rack 210 a—eitherfrom metadata 740, weight sensors 1300 coupled to physical shelf 305 b,a dragging and dropping of virtual item 320 f into virtual shopping cart420, and/or any other suitable method of receiving informationidentifying physical item 315 f—virtual store tool 405 may store virtualitem 320 f, corresponding to physical item 315 f, in virtual shoppingcart 420. Virtual shopping cart 420 may store any number of virtualitems 320. For example, as the playback of camera feed segments 415 and425 progresses, virtual store tool 405 may receive further informationidentifying an additional, different physical item 315 as having beenselected by person 105 from a physical rack 210. Physical rack 210 maybe the same as physical rack 210 a or different from physical rack 210a. In response to receiving the information identifying the additionalphysical item 315, virtual store tool 405 may store an additionalvirtual item 320, corresponding to the additional physical item 315, invirtual shopping cart 420. This process may repeat any number of times,such as a number of times corresponding to the number of times thecamera feed segments 415 and 425 indicate that a person 105 selected aphysical item 315 from a physical rack 210.

As illustrated in FIG. 9D, in certain embodiments, virtual shopping cart420 may display each virtual item 320 as a graphical representation ofthe corresponding physical item 315 and/or a textual description 910 ofthe corresponding physical item 315. Virtual shopping cart 420 may alsoindicate a quantity 915 of each virtual item 320 f contained in thevirtual shopping cart 420. For example, virtual shopping cart 420 mayindicate a quantity 915 of two virtual items 320 f, to emulate the factthat customer 105 selected two physical items 315 f from physical rack210 a. Quantity 915 of each virtual item 320 may be increased in anysuitable manner. For example, in certain embodiments, quantity 915 ofvirtual item 320 f may be increased by dragging and dropping virtualitem 320 f, corresponding to physical item 315 f, from virtual rack 230a, displayed in region 905, to virtual shopping cart 420 multiple times.As another example, in some embodiments, quantity 915 of virtual item320 f may be increased by a user 120 interacting with graphical userinterface 700 through an addition button 925. Similarly, quantity 915 ofvirtual item 320 f may be decreased by user 120 interacting withgraphical user interface 700 through a subtraction button 925. User 120may also remove virtual item 320 f from virtual shopping cart 420 byinteracting with graphical user interface 700 through a trash button930.

At the end of the shopping session of customer 105 in physical store 100(i.e., when virtual store tool 405 determines that customer 105 hasexited physical store 100), virtual shopping cart 420 may be used tocharge customer 105 for physical items 315 selected by customer 105during his/her shopping session, and to send a receipt to customer 105.Additionally, virtual shopping cart 420 may be used to validate adetermination made by an algorithm 488, based on inputs received fromsensors 498 located in physical store 100, of the physical items 315selected by customer 105 during his/her shopping session. These aspectsof virtual store tool 405 will be described in further detail below, inthe discussion of FIGS. 13 through 16 .

d. Method for Virtually Emulating a Physical Shopping Session

FIG. 10 presents a flowchart illustrating the manner in which virtualstore tool 405 emulates a shopping session of a customer 105 in aphysical store 100, using virtual layout 205 and camera feed segments415 and/or 425 received from physical store 100, and capturing theshopping session. In step 1005, virtual store tool 405 displays virtuallayout 205 of virtual store 110. Virtual layout 205 is configured toemulate a physical layout 200 of physical store 100. In particular, thearrangement of virtual racks 230 on virtual layout 205 is configured toemulate the physical layout 200 of physical racks 210 in physical store100.

In step 1010, virtual store tool 405 determines whether the tool hasreceived an indication of an event associated with a person 105interacting with a physical rack 210 of physical store 100, during ashopping session in physical store 100. This event may include customer105 approaching a physical rack 210 and/or selecting a physical item 315from physical rack 210. The indication of the event may include anysuitable information that indicates that customer 105 interacted withphysical rack 210. For example, in certain embodiments, the indicationof the event may include user 120 selecting virtual shelf 230 in virtuallayout 205, in response to viewing customer 105 approaching and/orselecting physical item 315 from physical rack 210 on a set of camerafeed segments 415, generated from camera feeds 605 received from layoutcameras 490, located in physical store 100 and capturing the shoppingsession of customer 105. As another example, in certain embodiments, theindication of the event may include slider 710 on slider bar 705,assigned to camera feed segments 415, reaching a marker 715. Marker 715may include metadata 740 indicating the physical rack 210 associatedwith the event. As a further example, the indication of the event mayinclude receiving information from an algorithm 488 configured todetermine that customer 105 approached and/or selected an item 315 fromphysical rack 210, based on inputs received from sensors 498 located inphysical store 100.

If, in step 1010, virtual store tool 405 receives an indication of anevent associated with person 105 interacting with physical rack 210, instep 1015, virtual store tool 405 displays the virtual rack 230corresponding to physical rack 210 (i.e., configured to emulate physicalrack 210), in region 905 of display 410. Additionally, in step 1015,virtual store tool 405 displays a rack camera segment 425 generated froma rack camera feed 620 received from a rack camera 495 assigned tophysical rack 210. Rack camera segment 425 depicts physical rack 210during the time interval in which the event occurs.

In step 1020, virtual store tool 405 determines whether the tool hasreceived information identifying a first virtual item 320. As anexample, in certain embodiments, each physical shelf 305 of physicalrack 210 includes a set of weight sensors 1300, coupled to zones of thephysical shelf 305, as described below, in the discussion of FIGS. 13Bthrough 13D. When person 105 removes an item 315 from physical shelf305, the weight sensor 1300 coupled to the zone of physical shelf 305 onwhich the item 315 is located may send information to virtual store tool405 (either directly, or through other components of system 400, such asexternal system 485), indicating that the item 315 has been selectedfrom physical shelf 305 of physical rack 210 a. As another example, incertain embodiments, the indication of the event may include slider 710on slider bar 705 reaching marker 715 a or 715 b. Markers 715 a and 715b may include metadata 740, as described above, in the discussion ofFIG. 7C. Metadata 740 may include information indicating anidentification number 745 assigned to the physical item 315 selected bycustomer 105, an identification number 750 assigned to the physicalshelf 305 from which customer 105 selected the physical item 315, and/oran identification number 755 assigned to the physical rack 210 thatincludes the physical shelf 305 from which customer 105 selected thephysical item 315. Accordingly, when slider 710 on slider bar 705reaches a marker 715, virtual store tool 405 may receive informationidentifying physical item 315, by reading metadata 740 assigned tomarker 715, to identify that person 105 selected physical item 315 fromphysical shelf 305 of physical rack 210. Markers 715 may be added toslider bar 705 in any suitable manner. For example, in certainembodiments, virtual display tool 405 adds markers 715 to slider bar 705based on information received from an algorithm 488 configured to trackcustomers 105 in physical store 100 and to determine the physical items315 selected by each customer 105, based on inputs received from sensors498 located in physical store 100. As a further example, receivinginformation identifying physical item 315/virtual item 320 may includereceiving information associated with dragging and dropping virtual item320, configured to emulate physical item 315, from virtual rack 230,displayed in region 905 of display 410, to virtual shopping cart 420.

If, in step 1025, virtual store tool 405 determines that the tool hasreceived information identifying first virtual item 320/physical item315, in step 1030, virtual store tool 405 stores first virtual item 320in virtual shopping cart 420. In step 1035, virtual store tool 405determines whether the shopping session of customer 105 has ended (i.e.,whether customer 105 has left physical store 100). Virtual store tool405 may determine that customer 105 has left physical store 100 in anysuitable manner. As an example, in certain embodiments, virtual storetool 405 may determine that customer 105 has left physical store 100based on input received from user 120. For example, in embodiments inwhich camera feed segments 415 and/or 425 are displayed on a graphicaluser interface 700 on display 410, graphical user interface 700 mayadditionally include an interactive button 730 (e.g., an exit customerbutton) through which user 120 may indicate that he/she observedcustomer 105 exiting physical store 100, on one or more of camera feedsegments 415 and/or 425. As another example, virtual store tool 405 maydetermine that customer 105 has left physical store 100 based oninformation received from an algorithm 488 configured to track customers105 within physical store 100. As a further example, virtual store tool405 may determine that customer 105 has left physical store 100 based oninformation received from physical store 100. For example, physicalstore 100 may include a set of turnstiles 510 located near the exit ofphysical store 100. In order to open a turnstile 510 and leave physicalstore 100, a customer 105 may be asked to scan the same QR code thathe/she used to enter physical store 100. Scanning the QR code may thensend a signal to virtual store tool 405, indicating that customer 105has exited physical store 100. In certain embodiments, in response todetermining that customer 105 has left physical store 100, virtual storetool 105 sends a notification to a device 125 of customer 105,indicating that customer 105 should expect to receive a receipt forhis/her shopping session in physical store 105 within a set time period.

If, in step 1035, virtual store tool 405 determines that the shoppingsession of customer 105 in physical store 100 has not ended, virtualstore tool 405 returns to step 1010, to determine whether customer 105has selected any additional items 315 from physical racks 210.Specifically, virtual store tool 405 determines whether the tool hasreceived an indication of an event associated with customer 105interacting with another physical rack 210. Physical rack 210 may be thesame or a different physical rack from the physical rack with whichvirtual store tool 405 previously determined that customer 105interacted. In this manner, virtual store tool 405 may populate virtualcart 420 with any number of virtual items 320.

On the other hand, if, in step 1035, virtual store tool 405 determinesthat the shopping session has ended, then, in step 1040, virtual storetool 405 charges customer 105 for the items 315 selected by customer 105during the shopping session, based on the virtual items 320 stored invirtual cart 420, and generates a receipt. The manner in which virtualstore tool 405 generates the receipt is described in further detailbelow, in the discussion of FIG. 14 . In order to charge customer 105,this disclosure contemplates that virtual store tool 405 may storepayment information for customer 105, according to an identificationnumber 455 assigned to customer 105, in memory 440. Next, in step 1045,virtual store tool 405 sends the receipt to customer 105.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 1000depicted in FIG. 10 . Method 1000 may include more, fewer, or othersteps. For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in anysuitable order. While discussed as virtual store tool 405 (or componentsthereof) performing the steps, any suitable component of system 400,such as device(s) 115 for example, may perform one or more steps of themethod.

V. Virtual Layout Creation

In certain embodiments, layout creator 460 of virtual store tool 405 isconfigured to display a second graphical user interface 1100 throughwhich a user 120 may generate a virtual layout 205 configured to emulatea physical layout 200 of a physical store 100. FIGS. 11A and 11Billustrate an example embodiment of such a graphical user interface1100.

a. Placing Virtual Racks on Virtual Layout to Emulate the PhysicalLayout of Physical Racks

Layout creator 460 of virtual store tool 405 may generate a virtuallayout 205 configured to emulate a physical layout 200 of a physicalstore, in response to receiving a set of positions and orientationsassociated with physical racks 210 located in physical store 100. Layoutcreator 460 may receive the set of positions and orientations in anysuitable manner. For example, virtual store tool 405 may receive thepositions and orientations from user 120, through graphical interface1100, by user 120 creating virtual racks 230 on graphical interface 1100and then dragging and dropping the virtual racks 230 to given positionson virtual layout 205 and/or rotating virtual racks 230 to givenorientations on virtual layout 205. As another example, layout creator460 may receive the positions and orientations from a file uploaded tovirtual store tool 405. For example, user 120 may upload a fileincluding the positions and orientations using the “drop your file here”button 1150 on graphical user interface 1100. The file may include alist including pairs of positions and angles. In certain embodiments,each position may specify the center of mass position of a physicalshelf 210 in physical store 100. In some embodiments, each position mayspecify the position of a given corner of a physical shelf 210 inphysical store 100. The positions may be specified in terms of anycoordinate system superimposed on physical layout 200. For example, eachposition may be specified as an (x,y) coordinate of a Cartesiancoordinate system with an origin located in the middle of physical store100. In certain embodiments, each orientation may specify the angle of aphysical shelf 210 relative to a given direction. For example, eachorientation may specify the angle of a physical shelf 210 relative tothe x-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system of the previous example.In certain embodiments, for each physical shelf 210, the file mayadditionally include a length and width of the physical shelf 210.

In response to receiving the positions and orientations, layout creator460 places each virtual rack 230 at a virtual position and with avirtual orientation on virtual layout 205. Here, the virtual positionand the virtual orientation for a given virtual rack 230 on virtuallayout 205 represents the physical location and the physical orientationof the corresponding physical rack 210 in physical layout 200. WhileFIG. 11A illustrates an example including eleven virtual racks 230, thisdisclosure contemplates that virtual layout 205 may include any numberof virtual racks 230. In certain embodiments, virtual store tool storesthe resulting virtual layout 205 in memory 440, according to a storeidentification number 1105. Additionally, layout creator 460 may storeeach virtual rack 230 of virtual layout 205 in memory 440 according to arack identification number 755.

Virtual layout tool 405 may also modify a given virtual layout 205, inresponse to receiving a new position and/or orientation for any ofvirtual shelves 230 on virtual layout 205. Modifying virtual layout 205may be desirable in situations in which the physical layout 200 emulatedby virtual layout 205 has changed. Layout creator 460 may receive newpositions and/or new orientations for virtual shelves 230 in anysuitable manner. For example, layout creator 460 may read the newpositions and/or orientations from a file. The file may specify a newposition and/or orientation for a virtual rack 230 a using theidentification number 755 a assigned to virtual rack 230 a. For example,for each virtual rack 230, the file may include the identificationnumber 755 assigned to the virtual rack 230, Cartesian coordinates (x,y)of the new position for the rack, and an angle measured relative to thex-axis, specifying the new orientation for the rack. As another example,layout creator 460 may receive a new positions and/or orientation for avirtual rack 230, based on input received from graphical user interface1100. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, layout creator 460 mayreceive input representing a dragging of virtual rack 230 k from a firstposition on virtual layout 205 to a new position 1130 on virtual layout205. In response to receiving such input, layout creator 460 may placevirtual rack 230 k at the new virtual position 1130, as illustrated inFIG. 11B. As another example, virtual store tool 205 may receive inputrepresenting a rotation of virtual rack 230 from a first orientation toa new orientation. In response to receiving such input, layout creator460 may place virtual rack 230 on virtual layout 205 with this neworientation.

b. Placing Virtual Items on Virtual Racks to Emulate the Physical ItemsLocated on Physical Racks

In addition to placing virtual racks 230 on virtual layout 205, layoutcreator 460 is operable to populate virtual racks 230 with virtual items320. For example, layout creator 460 may receive a planogram specifyingthe physical items 315 to be placed on each physical rack 210 inphysical store 100. For example, for each physical rack 210, theplanogram may include a list of physical items 315 to be placed on thephysical rack 210. For each physical item 315, the list may specify theshelf 305 of physical rack 210 on which the physical item 315 is to beplaced, as well as the zone 325 of each shelf 305 on which the physicalitem 315 is to be placed. In response to receiving the planogram, layoutcreator 460 may place corresponding virtual items 320 on virtual racks230. As another example, layout creator 460 may receive a list ofvirtual items 320 for each virtual rack 230, with each virtual item 320in the list associated with a physical item 315. Such a list may specifya store identification number 1105, a rack identification number 755, ashelf identification number 750, and/or a zone identification number 745for each virtual item 320 emulating a physical item 315. Here, storeidentification number 1105 identifies a physical store 100 storingphysical item 315, rack identification number 755 identifies a physicalrack 210 in physical store 100 holding physical item 315, shelfidentification number 750 identifies a physical shelf 305 of physicalrack 210, on which physical item 315 is placed, and zone identificationnumber 745 identifies a zone of physical shelf 305 housing physical item315. In certain embodiments, zone identification number 745 maycorrespond to a sensor identification number of a sensor 498 coupled tothe zone of physical shelf 305 housing physical item 315. Layout creator460 may then store the virtual item 320 in memory 440 according to storeidentification number 1105, rack identification number 755, shelfidentification number 750, and zone identification number 745, wherelayout creator 460 has assigned store identification number 1105 tovirtual layout 205, rack identification number 755 to virtual rack 230,shelf identification number 750 to virtual shelf 310, and zoneidentification number 745 to a virtual zone of virtual 310 configured toemulate the physical zone of physical shelf 305 housing physical item315. The division of physical shelves 305 and virtual shelves 310 intozones is described in further detail below, in the discussion of FIGS.13C and 13D.

As another example, layout creator 460 may receive virtual items 320 tostore on a given virtual rack 230 from a drop-down-menu that includes ascrollable list of items. An example of such a drop-down-menu 1135 isillustrated in FIG. 11B. As illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, user 120may select a physical item name 1130 from drop-down-menu 1135 for agiven virtual shelf 230. In response, layout creator 460 may store thevirtual item 320 associated with the physical item 315 having physicalitem name 1130 in virtual shelf 230.

Second graphical user interface 1100 may also be used to assign rackcameras 495 to each of virtual racks 230 in virtual layout 205. Asillustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, layout creator 460 may present a setof rack camera feed segments 425 a through 425 f to user 120, throughsecond graphical user interface 1100. Each rack camera feed segment 425is generated from a rack camera feed 620 received from a rack camera 495located in physical store 100. In certain embodiments, a user 120 mayselect a rack camera 495 to assign to a virtual rack 230. User 120 mayselect a given rack camera 495 based on which of rack camera feedsegments 425 a through 425 f provides user 120 with the best view ofphysical rack 210 (emulated by virtual rack 230), as determined by user120. User 120 may select rack camera 495 in any suitable manner. As anexample, in certain embodiments, user 120 may assign a given rack camera495 to virtual rack 230 by clicking on the rack camera segment 425generated by rack camera 495 and displayed on second graphical userinterface 1100. For example, user 120 may click on rack camera segment425 a to assign rack camera 495 a, which generated rack camera segment425 a, to virtual rack 230 a. In response to user 120 clicking on rackcamera segment 425 a, layout creator 460 may associate a rack cameraidentification number 1125 a, assigned to rack camera 495 a, withvirtual rack 230 a.

Second graphical user interface 1100 may be used to generate any numberof virtual layouts 205, which layout creator 460 may store in memory 440according to store identification numbers 1105. Virtual store tool 405may later retrieve a given virtual layout 205 using the associated storeidentification number 1105 and display the virtual layout 205 on display410.

Layout creator 460 may be a software module stored in memory 440 andexecuted by processor 435. An example of the operation of layout creator460 is as follows: (1) receive a set of positions and orientationsassociated with physical racks 210 located in physical store 100; (2)for each received position and orientation, place a virtual rack 230 onvirtual layout 205, at a virtual position and with a virtual orientationrepresenting the physical position and physical orientation of thecorresponding physical rack 210 in physical layout 200; (3) if input isreceived, associated with a new position for a virtual rack 230, placevirtual rack 230 at the new position on virtual layout 205; (4) if inputis received, associated with a new orientation for a virtual rack 230,place virtual rack 230 on virtual layout 205, with the new orientation;(5) for each virtual rack 230, receive a set of virtual items 320, andplace the set of virtual items 320 on virtual rack 230; (6) for eachvirtual rack 230, assign a rack camera 495 to the virtual rack.

c. Method for Generating a Virtual Layout

FIG. 12 presents a flowchart illustrating the manner in which virtualstore tool 405 may generate a virtual layout 205 configured to emulate aphysical layout 200 of a physical store 100. In step 1205, virtual storetool 405 places a set of virtual racks 230 at virtual positions and withvirtual orientations on virtual layout 205, where the virtual positionsand the virtual orientations of virtual racks 230 are chosen to emulatethe physical positions and physical orientations of physical racks 210in physical store 100. Virtual store tool 405 may receive the virtualpositions and virtual orientations in any suitable manner. For example,virtual store tool 405 may receive the positions and orientation fromuser 120 through graphical user interface 1100. As another example,virtual store tool 405 may receive the positions and orientations from afile uploaded to virtual store tool 405.

In step 1210, virtual store tool 405 determines whether inputrepresenting a dragging of a virtual rack 230 to a new virtual positionwas received. If, in step 1210, virtual store tool 405 determines thatinput representing a dragging of a virtual rack 230 to a new virtualposition was received, in step 1215, virtual store tool 405 placesvirtual rack 230 at the new virtual position and proceeds to step 1220.On the other hand, if, in step 1210, virtual store tool 405 does notdetermine that input representing a dragging of a virtual rack 230 to anew virtual position was received, virtual store tool 405 simplyproceeds to step 1220.

In step 1220, virtual store tool 405 determines whether inputrepresenting a rotation of a virtual rack 230 from an initialorientation to a new orientation was received. If, in step 1220, virtualstore tool 405 determines that input representing a rotation of avirtual rack 230 from an initial orientation to a new orientation wasreceived, virtual store tool 405 adjusts the orientation of the virtualrack 230 from the initial orientation to the new orientation, in step1225, and proceeds to step 1230. On the other hand, if, in step 1220,virtual store tool 405 determines that input representing a rotation ofa virtual rack 230 from an initial orientation to a new orientation wasnot received, virtual store tool 405 proceeds to step 1230.

In step 1230, virtual store tool 405 receives, for each virtual rack230, a set of virtual items 320 assigned to the virtual rack 230.Virtual store tool 405 may receive the sets of virtual items 320 in anysuitable manner. For example, virtual store tool 405 may receive aplanogram, specifying the physical items 315 to be placed on eachphysical rack 210 in physical store 100. For example, for each physicalrack 210, the planogram may include a list of physical items 315 to beplaced on the physical rack. For each physical item 315, the list mayspecify the shelf 305 of physical rack 210 on which the physical item315 is to be placed, as well as the zone 325 of each shelf 305 on whichthe physical item 315 is to be placed. As another example, virtual storetool 405 may receive virtual items 320 from a drop-down-menu 1135displayed on display 410. The drop-down-menu 1135 may include a list ofphysical items 315 from which a user 120 may select one or more items tobe placed on each virtual rack 230. Drop-down-menu 1135 may include ascrollable list of any number of physical items 315. In response toreceiving a selection of a physical item 315 from drop-down-menu 1135,virtual store tool 405 may identify the corresponding virtual item 320.After virtual store tool 405 has received the sets of virtual items 320,in step 1235, virtual store tool 405 places each set of virtual items320 on the corresponding virtual rack 230.

In step 1240, virtual store tool 405 assigns a rack camera 495 to eachvirtual rack 230. Virtual store tool 405 may assign a rack camera 495 toeach virtual rack 230 in any suitable manner. For example, in certainembodiments, a user 120 may select rack cameras 495 to assign to virtualracks 230. User 120 may select a given rack camera 495 for a virtualrack 230 based on which of rack camera feed segments 425 a through 425 fprovides user 120 with the best view of the corresponding physical rack210, as determined by user 120. In step 1245, virtual store tool 405stores virtual layout 205 in memory 440. In certain embodiments, virtualstore tool 405 may store virtual layout 205 in memory 440 according to astore identification number 1105.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 1200depicted in FIG. 12 . Method 1200 may include more, fewer, or othersteps. For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in anysuitable order. While discussed as virtual store tool 405 (or componentsthereof) performing the steps, any suitable component of system 400,such as device(s) 115 for example, may perform one or more steps of themethod.

VI. Use in Conjunction with an External Algorithm Configured to TrackCustomers in the Physical Store

Virtual store tool 405 may be used in conjunction with an algorithm 488,generated by external system 485, and configured to track customers 105and to determine items 315 selected by a given customer 105 a during ashopping session of customer 105 a in physical store 100, based oninputs received from sensors 498 located in physical store 100. Forexample, virtual store tool 405 may be used to validate thedeterminations made by algorithm 488 and/or to help improve the accuracyof algorithm 488. FIGS. 13 through 16 are used to describe this aspectof virtual store tool 405.

a. Algorithm Input Sensors

As described above, external algorithm 488 is configured to trackcustomers 105 and to determine items selected by a customer 105 during ashopping session in physical store 100, based on inputs received fromsensors 498 located in physical store 100. This disclosure contemplatesthat physical store 100 may include any type of suitable sensors 498.For example, physical store 100 may include cameras, light detection andrange sensors, millimeter wave sensors, weight sensors, and/or any otherappropriate sensors, operable to track a customer 105 in physical store100 and detect information associated with customer 105 selecting one ormore items from physical store 100.

FIGS. 13A through 13D present examples of an embodiment in whichphysical store 100 includes both cameras 1305 and weight sensors 1300for sensors 498. This disclosure contemplates that external system 485may process position information received from the cameras 1305, andweight information received from the weight sensors 1300, using analgorithm 488, to determine which customers 105 removed which items fromphysical display racks 210 located in physical store 100. In thismanner, external system 485 may generate an algorithmic shopping cart ofitems determined by the algorithm 488 to have been selected by acustomer 105, during a shopping session in physical store 100.

As seen in FIG. 13A, the interior of physical store 100 may include anarray of cameras 1305 positioned on the ceiling of store 100. In certainembodiments, this array of cameras 1305 may include layout cameras 490and/or rack cameras 495. In other embodiments, the array of cameras 1305is separate from layout cameras 490 and rack cameras 495. Generally, thearray of cameras 1305 produces videos of portions of the interior ofphysical store 100. These videos may include frames or images ofcustomers 105 within the space. External system 485 processes theseframes from array of cameras 1305 to detect customers 105 within theframes.

As illustrated in FIG. 13A, the array of cameras 1305 may includecameras 1305 arranged in a grid pattern across the ceiling of physicalstore 100. Although this disclosure shows the array of cameras 1305including fifty cameras 1305, the array of cameras 1305 may include anysuitable number of cameras 1305. Generally, cameras 1305 in the array ofcameras 1305 are arranged to form a rectangular array. In the example ofFIG. 13A, the array of cameras 1305 is a 5×10 array of cameras 1305(e.g., five rows and ten columns of cameras 1305). The array of cameras1305 may be arranged in an array of any suitable dimensions.

Each camera 1305 is communicatively coupled to external system 485 andcommunicates captured video to external system 485. Cameras 1305 arecommunicatively coupled to external system 485 in any suitable manner.For example, cameras 1305 may be hardwired to components of externalsystem 485. As another example, cameras 1305 may wirelessly couple toexternal system 485 using any suitable wireless protocol (e.g., WiFi).

Cameras 1305 may be any suitable devices for capturing videos of theinterior space of physical store 100. For example, cameras 1305 may bethree-dimensional cameras that can capture two-dimensional video of thespace (e.g., x-y plane) and also detect the heights of people and/orobjects in the video. As another example, cameras 1305 may betwo-dimensional cameras that capture two-dimensional videos of thespace. The array of cameras 1305 may include a mixture of differenttypes of cameras 1305.

FIG. 13B presents an example weight sensor 1300 that may be coupled to ashelf 305 of a physical rack 210 of physical store 100 to detect theweight of items 315 positioned on the shelf 305. Weight sensor 1300 maythen communicate this information to external system 485. Externalsystem 485 tracks the weights detected by weight sensors 1300 todetermine if, and when, items 315 are removed from the physical rack210.

As seen in FIG. 13B, weight sensor 1300 includes plates 1315 a and 1315b, load cells 1310 a, 1310 b, 1310 c, and 1310 d, and wires 1320 a, 1320b, 1320 c, 1320 d, and 1325. Generally, the components of weight sensor1300 are assembled so that weight sensor 1300 can detect a weight ofitems 315 positioned above or near weight sensor 1300. Plates 1315 formsurfaces that distribute the weight of items 315 across the surfaces.

Plates 1315 may be made of any suitable material, such as, for example,metal and/or plastic. Items 315 may be positioned above or near plates1315 and the weight of these items 315 may be distributed across plates1315.

Load cells 1310 are positioned between plates 1315 a and 1315 b. Loadcells 1310 produce electrical signals based on the weight experienced bythe load cells 1310. For example, load cells 1310 may be transducersthat convert an input mechanical force (e.g., weight, tension,compression, pressure, or torque) into an output electrical signal(e.g., current or voltage). As the input force increase, the outputelectrical signal may increase proportionally. Load cells 1310 may beany suitable type of load cell (e.g., hydraulic, pneumatic, and straingauge). Although load cells 1310 are illustrated as being cylindrical inshape, they may be any suitable size and shape that is appropriate forthe particular implementation contemplated.

The signals from load cells 1310 may be analyzed to determine an overallweight of items 315 positioned above or near weight sensor 1300. Loadcells 1310 may be positioned such that the weight of items 315positioned above or near weight sensor 1300 is evenly distributed toeach load cell 1310. In the example of FIG. 13B, load cells 1310 arepositioned substantially equidistant from corners of plates 1315 a and1315 b. For example, load cell 1310 a is positioned a distance d1 from acorner of plates 1315 a and 1315 b. Load cell 1310 b is positioned adistance d2 from a corner of plates 1315 a and 1315 b. Load cell 1310 cis positioned a distance d3 from a corner of plates 1315 a and 1315 b.Load cell 1310 d is positioned a distance d4 from a corner of 1315 a and1315 b. Distances d1, d2, d3 and d4 may be substantially equal to eachother. This disclosure contemplates distances differing by 5 to 10millimeters and still being considered substantially equal to eachother. By positioning load cells 1310 substantially equal distances fromcorners of plates 1315 a and 1315 b, the weight of items positionedabove or near weight sensor 1300 is evenly distributed across the loadcells 1310. As a result, the total weight of items positioned above ornear weight sensor 1300 can be determined by summing the weightsexperienced by the individual load cells 1310.

Load cells 1310 communicate electric signals that indicate a weightexperienced by the load cells 1310. For example, the load cells 1310 mayproduce an electric current that varies depending on the weight or forceexperienced by the load cells 1310. Each load cell 1310 is coupled to awire 1320 that carries the electric signal. In the example of FIG. 13B,load cell 1310 a is coupled to wire 1320 a; load cell 1310 b is coupledto wire 1320 b; load cell 1310 c is coupled to wire 1320 c; and loadcell 1310 d is coupled to wire 1320 d. Wires 1320 are grouped togetherto form wire 1325 that extends away from weight sensor 1300. Wire 1325carries the electric signals produced by load cells 1310 to a circuitboard that communicates the signals to external system 485.

In certain embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 13C, multiple weightsensors 1300 may be coupled to a given physical shelf 305 of physicalrack 210. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 13C, physicalshelf 305 includes four weight sensors 1300. The locations of weightsensors 1300 in physical shelf 305 may define a set of zones of physicalshelf 305. For example, first weight sensor 1300 a may define a firstzone 325 a, second weight sensor 1300 b may define a second zone 325 b,third weight sensor 1300 c may define a third zone 325 c, and fourthweight sensor 1300 d may define a fourth zone 325 d. In certainembodiments, each zone 325 may be associated with a different physicalitem 315, such that each weight sensor 1300 is configured to detectweight changes associated with the removal of a specific item 315 fromphysical shelf 305. Virtual shelves 310 may similarly be divided in aset of zones 330 a through 330 d, with each virtual zone 330 associatedwith a given virtual item 320, to emulate zones 325 a through 325 d ofphysical shelves 305. In this manner, when a signal is received from aweight sensor 1300 a, indicating the removal of a physical item 315 astored in first physical zone 325 a of physical shelf 305, the signalmay be used to identify virtual item 320 a, stored in first virtual zone330 a, based on the correspondence between first physical zone 325 a andfirst virtual zone 330 a.

b. Comparison Between Virtual Shopping Cart and Algorithmic ShoppingCart

In certain embodiments, virtual store tool 405 may be used inconjunction with an algorithm 488 trained to track customers 105 withinphysical store 100 and to determine the physical items 315 selected by acustomer 105 during a shopping session in physical store 100, based oninputs 498 received from sensors 498 located in physical store 100. Asdescribed above, in the discussion of FIGS. 13A through 13D, sensors 498may include cameras 1305 and weight sensors 1300.

Algorithm 488 may be programmed to determine the items 315 selected bycustomers 105 in physical store 100 in any suitable manner. For example,algorithm 488 may process video frames, received by external system 485from the array of cameras 1305, to determine coordinates for customers105 detected in the frames. Algorithm 488 may then timestamp thesecoordinates based on when the frames were received. Based on thecoordinates and the timestamps, algorithm 488 may determine thepositions of customers 105 in physical store 100. Algorithm 488 may alsoprocess signals received by external system 485 from weight sensors1300, to determine when items 315 were removed from physical shelves305. Using the positions of customers 105 in physical store 100, and thedeterminations of when items 315 were removed from physical shelves 305,algorithm 488 may determine which customers 105 took which items 315.

As an example of the use of virtual store tool 105 in conjunction withalgorithm 488, virtual store tool 405 may be used to resolvediscrepancies between the physical items 315 determined by algorithm 488to have been selected by customer 105 during a shopping session inphysical store 100 and the virtual items 320 determined by virtual storetool 405 to have been selected by customer 105 during the shoppingsession. When discrepancies exist between the physical items 315determined by algorithm 488 to have been selected by customer 105 andthe virtual items 320 determined by virtual store tool 405 to have beenselected by customer 105, the determination made by virtual store tool405 may also be used to improve the future accuracy of algorithm 488.FIGS. 14 through 16 are used to describe these aspects of virtual storetool 405.

FIG. 14 illustrates resolution component 475 of virtual store tool 405.Resolution component 475 is configured to compare virtual shopping cart420 to algorithmic shopping cart 1420. This disclosure contemplates thatvirtual store tool 405 may receive algorithmic shopping cart 1420 fromexternal system 485. Algorithmic shopping cart 1420 may include physicalitems 315 determined by an algorithm 488 to have been selected bycustomer 105, based on inputs received from sensors 498 (includingcameras 1305 and weight sensors 1300) located in physical store 100. Forexample, algorithmic shopping cart may include first physical item 3151,second physical item 315 m, and third physical item 315 n. Each ofphysical items 3151 through 3135 n is associated with a given purchaseprice. For example, first physical item 3151 is associated with a firstphysical price 1440, second physical item 315 m is associated with asecond physical price 1450, and third physical item 315 n is associatedwith a third physical price 1460. While illustrated in FIG. 14 asincluding three physical items 315, this disclosure contemplates thatalgorithmic shopping cart 1420 may include any number of physical items315. Virtual shopping cart 420 includes first virtual item 320 i, secondvirtual item 320 j, and third virtual item 320 k, each determined byvirtual store tool 405 to have been selected by customer 105 during ashopping session in physical store 100. Each of virtual items 320 ithrough 320 k is associated with a given purchase price. For example,first virtual item 320 i is associated with a first virtual price 1410,second virtual item 320 j is associated with a second virtual price1420, and third virtual item 320 k is associated with a third virtualprice 1425. While illustrated in FIG. 14 as including three virtualitems 320, this disclosure contemplates that virtual shopping cart 420may include any number of virtual items 320. Furthermore, virtualshopping cart 420 need not include the same number of items asalgorithmic shopping cart 1420.

Resolution component 475 is configured to perform a comparison 1430between the contents of virtual shopping cart 420 and the contents ofalgorithmic shopping cart 1420 to determine if any discrepancies 1435exist between the two carts. Resolution component 475 may determineeither that: (1) the two carts are consistent with one another; or (2)the two carts are inconsistent with one another. In certain embodiments,in response to determining that the two carts are inconsistent with oneanother, resolution component 475 may determine that (1) the two cartsare inconsistent with one another because virtual cart 420 includes anerror; or (2) the two carts are inconsistent with one another, becausealgorithmic cart 1420 includes an error.

Determining that the two carts are consistent with one another mayinclude determining that first virtual item 320 i, present in virtualshopping cart 420, is configured to emulate first physical item 3151,which is present in algorithmic shopping cart 1420, second virtual item320 j, present in virtual shopping cart 420, is configured to emulatesecond physical item 315 m, which is present in algorithmic shoppingcart 1420, and third virtual item 320 k, present in virtual shoppingcart 420, is configured to emulate third physical item 315 n, which ispresent in algorithmic shopping cart 1420. On the other hand,determining that the two carts are inconsistent with one another mayinclude: (1) determining that virtual shopping cart 420 includes morevirtual items 320 than algorithmic shopping cart 1420 includes physicalitems 315; (2) determining that virtual shopping cart 420 includes fewervirtual items 320 than algorithmic shopping cart 1420 includes physicalitems 315; (3) determining that a virtual item 320, present in virtualshopping cart 420, is configured to emulate a physical item 315, whichis not present in algorithmic shopping cart 1420; or (4) determiningthat no virtual item 320, present in virtual shopping cart 420, isconfigured to emulate a physical item 315, present in algorithmicshopping cart 1420.

This disclosure contemplates that in embodiments in which resolutioncomponent 475 may determine that the two carts are inconsistent with oneanother because one of the two carts includes an error, resolutioncomponent 475 may determine that one of the two carts includes an errorin any suitable manner. As an example, in certain embodiments,resolution component 475 may always determine that algorithmic shoppingcart 1420 includes an error any time a discrepancy exists betweenvirtual shopping cart 420 and algorithmic shopping cart 1420. As anotherexample, resolution component 475 may determine that one of the cartsincludes an error, based on the type of discrepancy 1435 that existsbetween virtual cart 420 and algorithmic cart 1420. For example,resolution component 475 may be configured to determine that virtualshopping cart 420 includes an error when the discrepancy 1435 betweenthe two carts is a result of differing quantities of a particular itembetween the two carts. For instance, virtual cart 420 may include oneinstance of first virtual item 320 i, configured to emulate firstphysical item 3151, while algorithmic shopping cart 1420 may include twoinstances of first physical item 3151. In such situations, it may bemore likely that virtual shopping cart 420 includes an incorrectquantity of first virtual item 320 i, than algorithmic shopping cart1420 includes an incorrect quantity of first physical item 3151, as itmay be difficult to tell from camera feed segments 415 and/or 425 thatcustomer 105 selected more than one physical item 3151 from a givenphysical shelf 305. On the other hand, the information received fromweight sensors 1300 in physical store 100, may more accurately indicatethat more than one physical item 3151 was selected from physical shelf305. For discrepancies 1435 that do not include differing quantities ofa particular item between the two carts, resolution component 475 may beconfigured to determine that algorithmic shopping cart 1420 includes anerror, as a default.

As another example, resolution component 475 may be configured todetermine that either virtual shopping cart 420 or algorithmic shoppingcart 1420 includes an error based on input received from user 120. Forexample, in response to determining that a discrepancy 1435 existsbetween virtual shopping cart 420 and algorithmic shopping cart 1420,resolution component 475 may send a message to device 115, advising user120 of the discrepancy 1435. User 120 may then send a response tovirtual store tool 405 indicating either that virtual shopping cart 420includes an error, or that algorithmic shopping cart 1420 includes anerror. User 120 may determine that one of virtual shopping cart 420 andalgorithmic shopping cart 1420 include an error in any suitable manner.As an example, user 120 may review camera feed segments 415 and/or 425to either confirm the contents of virtual shopping cart 420 or determinethat virtual shopping cart 420 includes an error. For example, if thediscrepancy includes an absence of a physical item 315 from algorithmicshopping cart 1420, where the corresponding virtual item 320 is presentin virtual shopping cart 420, user 120 may review camera feed segments415 and/or 425 to confirm that the camera feed segments capture customer105 selecting the physical item 315 from a physical rack 210. As anotherexample, if the discrepancy includes the presence of a physical item 315in algorithmic shopping cart 1420, where the corresponding virtual item320 is absent from virtual shopping cart 420, user 120 may review camerafeed segments 415 and/or 425 to either (1) confirm that user 120 neverobserves customer 105 selecting the physical item 315 from a physicalrack 210; or (2) confirm that while user 120 views customer 105selecting the physical item 315 from a physical rack 210 in camera feedsegments 415 and/or 425, user 120 subsequently views the customer 105setting down the physical item 315 and leaving the physical store 100with the item 315.

Resolution component 475 is also configured to generate a receipt 1465for customer 105. In certain embodiments, resolution component 475generates receipt 1465 based on the contents of virtual shopping cart420. For example, resolution component 475 may generate receipt 1465based on the contents of virtual shopping cart 420 before performingcomparison 1430. In other embodiments, resolution component 475 maygenerate receipt 1465 based on comparison 1430. For example, ifresolution component 475 determines that virtual shopping cart 420 isconsistent with algorithmic shopping cart 1420, resolution component 475may generate receipt 1465 a for customer 105. Receipt 1465 a may includethe total cost 1475 of first virtual item 320 i, second virtual item 320j, and third virtual item 320 k, as determined from first virtual price1410, second virtual price 1420, and third virtual price 1425. Here,since virtual cart 420 is consistent with algorithmic shopping cart1420, determining the total cost 1475 of first virtual item 320 i,second virtual item 320 j, and third virtual item 320 k is equivalent todetermining the total cost of first physical item 3151, second physicalitem 315 m, and third physical item 315 n. As another example, ifresolution component 475 determines that virtual shopping cart 420includes an error, resolution component 475 may generate receipt 1465 bfor customer 105. Receipt 1465 b may include the total cost 1480 offirst physical item 3151, second physical item 315 m, and third physicalitem 315 n, as determined from first physical price 1440, secondphysical price 1450, and third physical price 1460. As a furtherexample, if resolution component 475 determines that algorithmicshopping cart 1420 includes an error, resolution component 475 maygenerate receipt 1465 c for customer 105. Receipt 1465 c may include thetotal cost 1475 of first virtual item 320 i, second virtual item 320 j,and third virtual item 320 k, as determined from first virtual price1410, second virtual price 1420, and third virtual price 1425. Onceresolution component 475 has generated a receipt 1465 for customer 105,resolution component 475 may charge customer 105, based on receipt 1465,and/or send receipt 1465 to device 125, belonging to customer 105.

Resolution component 475 may be a software module stored in memory 440and executed by processor 435. An example of the operation of resolutioncomponent 475 is as follows: (1) receive virtual shopping cart 420 andalgorithmic shopping cart 1420; (2) determine if the number of virtualitems 320 in virtual shopping cart 420 is the same as the number ofphysical items 315 in algorithmic shopping cart 1420; (3) if the numberof virtual items 320 in virtual shopping cart 420 is different from thenumber of physical items 315 in algorithmic shopping cart 1420, labelthe two carts as inconsistent; (4) if the number of virtual items 320 invirtual shopping cart 420 is the same as the number of physical items315 in algorithmic shopping cart 1420, determine if virtual shoppingcart 420 includes any virtual items 320 for which algorithmic shoppingcart 1420 does not include a corresponding physical item 315; (5) ifvirtual shopping cart 420 includes any virtual items 320 for whichalgorithmic shopping cart 1420 does not include a corresponding physicalitem 315, label the two carts as inconsistent; (6) if virtual shoppingcart 420 does not include any virtual items 320 for which algorithmicshopping 1420 does not include a corresponding physical item 315, labelthe two carts as consistent; (7) if the two carts are labeled asconsistent generate receipt 1465 a; (8) if the two carts are labeled asinconsistent, determine whether virtual cart 420 includes an error; (9)if virtual cart 420 includes an error, generate receipt 1465 b; (10) ifvirtual cart 420 does not include an error, generate receipt 1465 c.

c. Algorithm Feedback

In certain embodiments, virtual store tool 405 may be used inconjunction with algorithm 488, to improve the accuracy of thedeterminations made by algorithm 488. Specifically, machine learningmodule 480 may provide feedback to algorithm 488, based on a comparisonof the contents of virtual shopping cart 420 to the contents ofalgorithmic shopping cart 1420. FIG. 15 illustrates the operation ofmachine learning module 480.

As illustrated in FIG. 15 , in certain embodiments, machine learningmodule 480 receives algorithmic shopping cart 1420 and virtual shoppingcart 420. Machine learning module 480 may then perform a comparison 1430of the contents of virtual shopping cart 420 and the contents ofalgorithmic shopping cart 1420, to determine if a discrepancy 1435exists between the two carts. In certain other embodiments, machinelearning module 480 may receive an indication that a discrepancy 1435exists between virtual shopping cart 420 and algorithmic shopping cart1420 directly from resolution component 475.

Discrepancy 1435 may include any inconsistency between virtual shoppingcart 420 and algorithmic shopping cart 1420. For example, discrepancy1435 may include an absence of a physical item 315 a from algorithmicshopping cart 1420, where the corresponding virtual item 320 a ispresent in virtual shopping cart 420. Such a discrepancy may occur whena weight sensor 1300 coupled to a physical shelf 305 on which physicalitem 315 a is placed, failed to detect the selection of the physicalitem 315 a from physical shelf 305. As another example, discrepancy 1435may include the presence of a physical item 315 b in algorithmicshopping cart 1420, where the corresponding virtual item 320 b is absentfrom virtual shopping cart 420. Such a discrepancy may arise fromalgorithm 488 failing to detect that a customer 105, who initiallyselected physical item 315 b from a physical rack 210, put item 315 bdown and did not leave physical store 100 with the item 315 b. As afurther example, discrepancy 1435 may include an identification swapbetween a first customer 105 a and a second customer 105 b, such that afirst item 315 a selected by first customer 105 a is absent from thealgorithmic shopping cart 1420 assigned to first customer 105 a, andpresent in an algorithmic shopping cart 1420 assigned to second customer105 b. Such an identification swap may occur in the customer trackingcomponent of algorithm 488.

In response to determining that a discrepancy exists between algorithmicshopping cart 1420 and virtual shopping cart 420, machine learningmodule 480 may determine a subset 1500 of inputs received by sensors 498(including cameras 1305 and weight sensors 1300) and associated with thediscrepancy. As an example, machine learning module 480 may determine atimestamp range of camera feed segments 415 and/or 425 during whichdiscrepancy 1435 occurred. For example, machine learning module 480 maydetermine that a virtual item 320 a was added to virtual shopping cart420, based on a portion of customer 105's shopping session capturedbetween a first timestamp and a second timestamp of camera feed segments415 and/or 425, but that a corresponding physical item 315 a was notadded to algorithmic shopping cart 1420. As a result, machine learningmodule 480 may determine a subset 1500 of inputs received from sensors498 during the same time interval (i.e., the time interval occurringbetween the first timestamp and the second timestamp). Subset 1500 mayinclude a subset 1505 of inputs received from cameras 1305 and/or asubset 1510 of inputs received from weight sensors 1300.

In response to identifying subset 1500, associated with discrepancy1435, machine learning module 480 may attach metadata 1540 to subset1500. This disclosure contemplates that metadata 1540 may include anyinformation explaining and/or addressing discrepancy 1435. For example,attaching metadata 1540 to subset 1500 may include attaching a label toone or more frames received from cameras 1305 indicating that the framesillustrate customer 105 a selecting item 315, rather than customer 105 bselecting the item, as originally determined by algorithm 488. Inresponse to attaching metadata 1540 to subset 1500, external system 485may use subset 1500 to retrain algorithm 488. In certain embodiments,retraining algorithm 488 may result in an improved accuracy of algorithm488.

Machine learning module 480 may be a software module stored in memory440 and executed by processor 435. An example of the operation ofmachine learning module 480 is as follows: (1) receive algorithmicshopping cart 1420; (2) receive virtual shopping cart 420; (3) comparethe contents of virtual shopping cart 420 to the contents of algorithmicshopping cart 1420; (4) determine that discrepancy 1435 exists betweenvirtual shopping cart 420 and algorithmic shopping cart 1420; (5)determine a subset 1500 of inputs received from sensors 498 (includingcameras 1305 and weight sensors 1300); (6) attach metadata 1540 tosubset 1500, so that external system 485 may use subset 1500 to retrainalgorithm 488.

FIG. 16 presents a flowchart illustrating the manner by which virtualstore tool 405 may use virtual shopping cart 420 to provide feedback toalgorithm 488. In step 1605, resolution component 475 receives analgorithmic shopping cart 1420. Algorithmic shopping cart 1420 includesa set of physical items 315, determined by algorithm 488 to have beenselected by a customer 105 during a shopping session in physical store100, based on inputs received from sensors 498 located in physical store100. In step 1610, resolution component 475 receives a virtual shoppingcart 420. Virtual shopping cart 420 includes a set of virtual items 320.In certain embodiments, virtual items 320 were determined by a user 120to have been selected by customer 105 during a shopping session inphysical store 100, based on camera feed segments 415 and/or 425capturing the shopping session of customer 105 in physical store 100.

In step 1615, resolution component 475 compares the contents ofalgorithmic shopping cart 1420 to the contents of virtual shopping cart420. In step 1620, resolution component 475 determines whether adiscrepancy 1435 exists between algorithmic shopping cart 1420 andvirtual shopping cart 420. If, in step 1620, resolution component 475determines that a discrepancy 1435 does not exist between algorithmicshopping cart 1420 and virtual shopping cart 420, then, in step 1640,resolution component 475 generates a receipt 1465 for the shoppingsession, based on the contents of virtual shopping cart 420, and sendsreceipt 1465 to a device 125 of customer 105. If, in step 1620,resolution component 475 determines that a discrepancy 1435 existsbetween algorithmic shopping cart 1420 and virtual shopping cart 420,then, in step 1625, machine learning module 480 determines a subset 1500of the set of inputs received from sensors 498 associated with thediscrepancy. In step 1630, machine learning module 480 attaches metadata1540 to subset 1500. Metadata 1540 may explain discrepancy 1435. In step1635, external system 485 may use subset 1500 to retrain algorithm 488.Additionally, in step 1640, resolution component 475 generates a receipt1465 for the shopping session, based on the contents of virtual shoppingcart 420, and sends receipt 1465 to a device 125 of customer 105.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 1600depicted in FIG. 16 . Method 1600 may include more, fewer, or othersteps. For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in anysuitable order. While discussed as virtual store tool 405 (or componentsthereof) performing the steps, any suitable component of system 400,such as device(s) 115 for example, may perform one or more steps of themethod.

Although the present disclosure includes several embodiments, a myriadof changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modificationsmay be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that thepresent disclosure encompass such changes, variations, alterations,transformations, and modifications as falling within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus configured to create a virtuallayout of a virtual store to emulate a physical layout of a physicalstore, the apparatus comprising: a memory; and a hardware processorcommunicatively coupled to the memory, the hardware processor configuredto: receive a first physical position and a first physical orientationassociated with a first physical rack located in the physical store; inresponse to receiving the first physical position and the first physicalorientation, place a first virtual rack at a first virtual position andwith a first virtual orientation on the virtual layout, wherein thefirst virtual position of the first virtual rack on the virtual layoutrepresents the first physical position of the first physical rack on thephysical layout and the first virtual orientation of the first virtualrack on the virtual layout represents the first physical orientation ofthe first physical rack on the physical layout; receive a first virtualitem associated with a first physical item located on a first physicalshelf of the first physical rack; in response to receiving the firstvirtual item, place the first virtual item on a first virtual shelf ofthe first virtual rack, wherein the first virtual shelf of the firstvirtual rack represents the first physical shelf of the first physicalrack; receive a second virtual item associated with a second physicalitem located on a second physical shelf of the first physical rack; inresponse to receiving the second virtual item, place the second virtualitem on a second virtual shelf of the first virtual rack, wherein thesecond virtual shelf of the first virtual rack represents the secondphysical shelf of the first physical rack; assign a first rack cameralocated in the physical store to the first virtual rack, the first rackcamera configured to capture a live rack camera feed comprising thefirst physical rack; store the virtual layout in the memory; generate agraphical user interface configured to virtually emulate a physicalshopping session of a physical person within the physical store inconjunction with the physical person performing the physical shoppingsession, wherein virtually emulating the physical shopping sessioncomprises displaying, by the graphical user interface: the virtuallayout in a first region of the graphical user interface; the firstvirtual rack in a second region of the graphical user interface inresponse to receiving an indication of an event comprising the physicalperson located in the physical store interacting with the first physicalrack; and a rack video segment in a third region of the graphical userinterface corresponding to a recording of the live rack camera feed froma starting timestamp to an ending timestamp, the rack video segmentdepicting the physical person interacting with the first physical rack;present the graphical user interface to a user different from thephysical person; indicate, on the graphical user interface, that thefirst physical item has been picked up by the physical person during thephysical shopping session by highlighting, in the first virtual rack inthe second region of the graphical user interface, the first virtualitem corresponding to the first physical item; and receive, through thegraphical user interface, a confirmation of an independent determinationby the user indicating that the physical person purchased a physicalitem during the physical shopping session.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the processor is further configured to: receive a secondphysical position and a second physical orientation associated with asecond physical rack located in the physical store; in response toreceiving the second physical position and the second physicalorientation, place a second virtual rack at a second virtual positionand with a second virtual orientation on the virtual layout, wherein thesecond virtual position of the second virtual rack on the virtual layoutrepresents the second physical position of the second physical rack onthe physical layout and the second virtual orientation of the secondvirtual rack on the virtual layout represents the second physicalorientation of the second physical rack on the physical layout; receivea third virtual item associated with a third physical item located on athird physical shelf of the second physical rack; in response toreceiving the third virtual item, place the third virtual item on athird virtual shelf of the second virtual rack, wherein the thirdvirtual shelf of the second virtual rack represents the third physicalshelf of the second physical rack; receive a fourth virtual itemassociated with a fourth physical item located on a fourth physicalshelf of the second physical rack; in response to receiving the fourthvirtual item, place the fourth virtual item on a fourth virtual shelf ofthe second virtual rack, wherein the fourth virtual shelf of the secondvirtual rack represents the fourth physical shelf of the second physicalrack; and assign a second rack camera located in the physical store tothe second virtual rack, the second rack camera configured to capturevideo comprising the first physical rack.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein a store identification number is assigned to the physical store,and the virtual layout is stored in the memory according to the storeidentification number.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising adisplay, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive thestore identification number; in response to receiving the storeidentification number, display the virtual layout in a first region ofthe display; and in response to receiving an indication of an eventassociated with the first physical rack: display the first virtual rackin a second region of the display; and display a video from the firstrack camera in a third region of the display.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, wherein: the first virtual item is further associated with a firstphysical zone of the first physical shelf of the first physical rack;the second virtual item is further associated with a second physicalzone of the second physical shelf of the first physical rack; placingthe first virtual item on the first virtual shelf of the first virtualrack further comprises placing the first virtual item in a first virtualzone of the first virtual shelf of the first virtual rack, wherein thefirst virtual zone of the first virtual shelf represents the firstphysical zone of the first physical shelf; and placing the secondvirtual item on the second virtual shelf of the first virtual rackfurther comprises placing the second virtual item in a second virtualzone of the second virtual shelf of the first virtual rack, wherein thesecond virtual zone of the second virtual shelf represents the secondphysical zone of the second physical shelf.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein: a first sensor associated with a first sensor identificationnumber is assigned to the first physical zone of the first physicalshelf; a second sensor associated with a second sensor identificationnumber is assigned to the second physical zone of the second physicalshelf; and the processor is further configured to: assign the firstsensor identification number to the first virtual zone of the firstvirtual shelf; and assign the second sensor identification number to thesecond virtual zone of the second virtual shelf.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein receiving the first virtual item and the second virtualitem comprises receiving a file comprising a planogram.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein receiving the first virtual item and the secondvirtual item comprises: displaying a scrollable list of items, thescrollable list of items comprising the first virtual item and thesecond virtual item; receiving a first instruction to add the firstvirtual item from the scrollable list to the first virtual shelf of thefirst virtual rack; and receiving a second instruction to add the secondvirtual item from the scrollable list to the second virtual shelf of thefirst virtual rack.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processoris further configured to: receive a first input; determine that thefirst input represents a dragging of the first virtual rack from thefirst virtual position to a new virtual position; in response todetermining that the first input represents the dragging of the firstvirtual rack from the first virtual position to the new virtualposition, place the first virtual rack at the new virtual position;receive a second input; determine that the second input represents arotation of the first virtual rack from the first virtual orientation toa new virtual orientation; and in response to determining that thesecond input represents the rotation of the first virtual rack from thefirst virtual orientation to the new virtual orientation, place thefirst virtual rack with new virtual orientation.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, further comprising a display, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to: display a second graphical user interface on the display,the second graphical user interface comprising the virtual layout,wherein the first input and the second input are received from thesecond graphical user interface.
 11. A method to create a virtual layoutof a virtual store to emulate a physical layout of a physical store, themethod comprising: receiving a first physical position and a firstphysical orientation associated with a first physical rack located inthe physical store; in response to receiving the first physical positionand the first physical orientation, placing a first virtual rack at afirst virtual position and with a first virtual orientation on thevirtual layout, wherein the first virtual position of the first virtualrack on the virtual layout represents the first physical position of thefirst physical rack on the physical layout and the first virtualorientation of the first virtual rack on the virtual layout representsthe first physical orientation of the first physical rack on thephysical layout; receiving a first virtual item associated with a firstphysical item located on a first physical shelf of the first physicalrack; in response to receiving the first virtual item, placing the firstvirtual item on a first virtual shelf of the first virtual rack, whereinthe first virtual shelf of the first virtual rack represents the firstphysical shelf of the first physical rack; receiving a second virtualitem associated with a second physical item located on a second physicalshelf of the first physical rack; in response to receiving the secondvirtual item, placing the second virtual item on a second virtual shelfof the first virtual rack, wherein the second virtual shelf of the firstvirtual rack represents the second physical shelf of the first physicalrack; assigning a first rack camera located in the physical store to thefirst virtual rack, the first rack camera configured to capture a liverack camera feed comprising the first physical rack; storing the virtuallayout in a memory; generating a graphical user interface configured tovirtually emulate a physical shopping session of a physical personwithin the physical store in conjunction with the physical personperforming the physical shopping session, wherein virtually emulatingthe physical shopping session comprises displaying, by the graphicaluser interface: the virtual layout in a first region of the graphicaluser interface; the first virtual rack in a second region of thegraphical user interface in response to receiving an indication of anevent comprising the physical person located in the physical storeinteracting with the first physical rack; and a rack video segment in athird region of the graphical user interface corresponding to arecording of the live rack camera feed from a starting timestamp to anending timestamp, the rack video segment depicting the physical personinteracting with the first physical rack; presenting the graphical userinterface to a user different from the physical person; indicating, onthe graphical user interface, that the first physical item has beenpicked up by the physical person during the physical shopping session byhighlighting, in the first virtual rack in the second region of thegraphical user interface, the first virtual item corresponding to thefirst physical item; and receiving, through the graphical userinterface, a confirmation of an independent determination by the userindicating that the physical person purchased a physical item during thephysical shopping session.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: receiving a second physical position and a second physicalorientation associated with a second physical rack located in thephysical store; in response to receiving the second physical positionand the second physical orientation, placing a second virtual rack at asecond virtual position and with a second virtual orientation on thevirtual layout, wherein the second virtual position of the secondvirtual rack on the virtual layout represents the second physicalposition of the second physical rack on the physical layout and thesecond virtual orientation of the second virtual rack on the virtuallayout represents the second physical orientation of the second physicalrack on the physical layout; receiving a third virtual item associatedwith a third physical item located on a third physical shelf of thesecond physical rack; in response to receiving the third virtual item,placing the third virtual item on a third virtual shelf of the secondvirtual rack, wherein the third virtual shelf of the second virtual rackrepresents the third physical shelf of the second physical rack;receiving a fourth virtual item associated with a fourth physical itemlocated on a fourth physical shelf of the second physical rack; inresponse to receiving the fourth virtual item, placing the fourthvirtual item on a fourth virtual shelf of the second virtual rack,wherein the fourth virtual shelf of the second virtual rack representsthe fourth physical shelf of the second physical rack; and assigning asecond rack camera located in the physical store to the second virtualrack, the second rack camera configured to capture video comprising thefirst physical rack.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein a storeidentification number is assigned to the physical store, and the virtuallayout is stored in the memory according to the store identificationnumber.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving thestore identification number; in response to receiving the storeidentification number, displaying the virtual layout in a first regionof a display; and in response to receiving an indication of an eventassociated with the first physical rack: displaying the first virtualrack in a second region of the display; and displaying a video from thefirst rack camera in a third region of the display.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, wherein: the first virtual item is further associated with afirst physical zone of the first physical shelf of the first physicalrack; the second virtual item is further associated with a secondphysical zone of the second physical shelf of the first physical rack;placing the first virtual item on the first virtual shelf of the firstvirtual rack further comprises placing the first virtual item in a firstvirtual zone of the first virtual shelf of the first virtual rack,wherein the first virtual zone of the first virtual shelf represents thefirst physical zone of the first physical shelf; and placing the secondvirtual item on the second virtual shelf of the first virtual rackfurther comprises placing the second virtual item in a second virtualzone of the second virtual shelf of the first virtual rack, wherein thesecond virtual zone of the second virtual shelf represents the secondphysical zone of the second physical shelf.
 16. The method of claim 15,further comprising: assigning a first sensor identification number tothe first virtual zone of the first virtual shelf, wherein a firstsensor associated with the first sensor identification number isassigned to the first physical zone of the first physical shelf; andassigning a second sensor identification number to the second virtualzone of the second virtual shelf, wherein a second sensor associatedwith the second sensor identification number is assigned to the secondphysical zone of the second physical shelf.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein receiving the first virtual item and the second virtual itemcomprises receiving a file comprising a planogram.
 18. The method ofclaim 11, wherein receiving the first virtual item and the secondvirtual item comprises: displaying a scrollable list of items, thescrollable list of items comprising the first virtual item and thesecond virtual item; receiving a first instruction to add the firstvirtual item from the scrollable list to the first virtual shelf of thefirst virtual rack; and receiving a second instruction to add the secondvirtual item from the scrollable list to the second virtual shelf of thefirst virtual rack.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:receiving a first input; determining that the first input represents adragging of the first virtual rack from the first virtual position to anew virtual position; in response to determining that the first inputrepresents the dragging of the first virtual rack from the first virtualposition to the new virtual position, placing the first virtual rack atthe new virtual position; receiving a second input; determining that thesecond input represents a rotation of the first virtual rack from thefirst virtual orientation to a new virtual orientation; and in responseto determining that the second input represents the rotation of thefirst virtual rack from the first virtual orientation to the new virtualorientation, placing the first virtual rack with new virtualorientation.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: displayinga second graphical user interface on a display, the second graphicaluser interface comprising the virtual layout, wherein the first inputand the second input are received from the second graphical userinterface.